Rocco Mediate needs a rubber snake at the 2008 U.S. Open playoff

Anyone out there remember the 1971 U.S. Open? (BTuck, you’re excused.)

Chatty, wise-cracking Lee Trevino squared off against the intense, and intensely favored, Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff.

On the first tee Monday morning, Trevino flipped a rubber snake over onto Jack’s bag as Jack reached for his driver. Trevino’s practical joke cracked up the gallery and the media and himself.

I have the feeling that Nicklaus, though smiling on the outside, wasn’t terribly entertained – especially when Trevino went on to beat The Golden Bear in the playoff for his second U.S. Open victory.

Rocco Mediate is no Trevino when it comes to major records, or any records, actually.

But he is chatty, and wise-cracking, and an all-around good guy.

As Rocco was wrapping up his post-round interview in the media tent after Sunday’s historic conclusion, he caught sight of Tiger Woods, “lurking” in the doorway of the tent before his own interview.

“You better watch yourself tomorrow,” hollered Rocco as he pointed at Tiger. “Look! He knows it!”

We in the media laughed. Rocco laughed. Tiger laughed (at least on the outside).

Tiger and Rocco are pals. Rocco has the utmost respect for Tiger. And he’s got the right attitude to attempt the apparently impossible.

“I have nothing to lose,” he explained earlier, when asked about his mindset. “I cannot wait to see what I’ve got against the man. I cannot wait! If we get into a fight, I’m gonna be in trouble. He’d kick my ass. But we’re just playing golf. I can’t believe…It’s going to be a blast! It’s going to be a very entertaining day. I guarantee you of that.”

My advice to Rocco: Buy yourself a rubber snake. It’ll be entertaining.

Though Tiger might not think it’s so funny. And he might kick your ass.

Rocco Mediate is as surprised as everyone else that he’s squaring off against Tiger in the U.S. Open playoff Monday.