The last time professional golfer Rocco Mediate made a run at the U.S. Open he also played in the Main Event at the WSOP. Mediate finished tied for sixth in 2005, not quite as heartbreaking as his runner-up finish to Tiger Woods this year. His golfing stats include five PGA Tour wins, and another four wins in high-profile invitational events.

Rocco compares poker to golf in the way he feels his way through the game – not being robotic, using his instincts to guide him to decisions. He and Greg Raymer have golfed and played poker together, sharing tips and strategies for each. Maybe Rocco will take some of that second-place U.S. Open prize money and take a run at the WSOP Main Event this year. He has no major cashes on the felt to date, but maybe we’ll still see him on the poker tours after he retires from golf.