Torrey Pines victory could cost limping Woods dear

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Tiger Woods completed the most satisfying major victory of his career at the U.S. Open on Monday but his playoff triumph over fellow American Rocco Mediate may have come at a cost.

After holding off a late fightback by Mediate to clinch the title at the 91st hole on a sun-kissed day at Torrey Pines, Woods said he would take a break to rest his painful left knee.

"I'm glad I'm done," the world number one told reporters after winning his 14th major championship, and a third U.S. Open crown.

"I really don't feel like playing any more. It's a bit sore."

Woods frequently experienced jabbing pain during his week at Torrey Pines after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee two months ago, two days after he finished second at the Masters.

Asked when he was likely to return to the PGA Tour, Woods said: "Not for a while. I'm going to shut it down for a little bit here and see what happens.

"I need to take a little bit of a break."

Woods is almost certain to skip the June 26-29 Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan, a tournament he usually plays. Also in jeopardy is the AT&T National at Congressional the following week, an event he hosts.

After that, he would be expected to appear at the July 17-20 British Open at Royal Birkdale, the third major of the year.

"To be honest with you, I really don't know," Woods said of the British Open. "I pushed it pretty hard this week and I just want to enjoy it and we're going to re-evaluate after this event and see what happens."

KNEE INJURY

When asked if he had been told that his knee could be further injured by playing golf, he nodded his head in agreement.

Asked if that had happened at Torrey Pines, he replied: "Maybe."

There was plenty for Woods to smile about, though, after securing his 14th major title on one of his favorite courses.

"I always loved playing down here ever since I played as a junior," he said of Torrey Pines, where he has clinched the PGA Tour's Buick Invitational a record six times.

"And now that I come back here to play as a professional, and in a major championship on top of that and to have won, it's an unbelievable feeling, really."

Given the uncertainties he faced over his knee coming into the U.S. Open, Woods ranked his Torrey Pines victory as his most satisfying in a major championship.

"I think this is the best, just because of all of the things I had to deal with," he said.

"All things considered, I don't know how it even got this far but I'm very, very fortunate to have played 91 holes and then come out on top.

"It's either this one or my first one," he added, referring to his first major victory at the 1997 Masters. "This week had a lot of doubt to it, to be honest with you. I hadn't walked 18 holes, until the first round here, since Augusta."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)