It took five years, but Rocco Mediate's back is healed, and so is his golf game. Completing a full recovery from back surgery in 1994, Mediate carded his worst round of the tournament yesterday but came through with important putts down the stretch, holding on for a two-shot victory at the $3 million Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona.

First-round leader Justin Leonard was runner-up, one shot better than Tiger Woods.

It was Mediate's third career title and his first since the Greater Greensboro Open in 1993.