Boarded a plane on October 25 from his home in Orlando, Fla. Was scheduled to travel to Texas for the season-ending Tour Championship at Champions GC in Houston. At 9:27 p.m., EDT, communication with the plane ended, and officials later determined the plane suffered a loss of cabin pressure. The Learjet eventually veered off course and ran out of gas, crashing in Aberdeen, S.D., with all on board dying from hypoxia (a lack of oxygen). Finished his season seventh on the money list, with his second U.S. Open victory turning out to be an exclamation point on his career.

Won early in the year, at the weather-shortened AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Opened 69-64 on the Monterey Peninsula, and his final-round 73 was enough for him to pick up a one-shot triumph over Frank Lickliter II.

Was in prime position to make it two wins in four starts when he contended all week at the Honda Classic at TPC Heron Bay, eventually settling for a solo-second finish. Entered the final round seemingly out of contention, six strokes behind 54-hole leader Eric Booker. Played solid golf during tough weather conditions in the final round, shooting an even-par 70. But it wasn't enough to catch winner Vijay Singh, who won by two shots.

Four starts later, again was in contention at the MCI Classic at Harbour Town GL. Made it into a playoff with Glen Day and Jeff Sluman, at 10-under. Day won the title with a birdie on the first extra hole. Finished his career on Hilton Head Island with two wins and three additional top-fives.

At the U.S. Open at Pinehurst's No. 2 Course in June, opened 68-69 and was tied with Phil Mickelson and David Duval through 36 holes. Took the lead with 18 holes to play when he shot a 2-over 72. Led Mickelson by a shot. In the final day, matched Mickelson stroke for stroke and won the tournament by sinking an improbable par-saving, 25-foot putt on No. 16, a birdie at the par-3 17th and an 18-foot par putt on the final hole, giving him the title.

Made one final run at a title, at the Air Canada Championship in early September. Had four rounds in the 60s, one of two players in the field with that distinction (Carlos Franco), to finish T4 with Scott McCarron and Phil Tataurangi, six shots back of champion Mike Weir.

In what turned out to be his final PGA TOUR start, shot rounds of 71-71 to miss the cut at the National Car Rental Golf Classic/Disney.

Played in his final Ryder Cup, a member of the winning U.S. team at The Country Club in Massachusetts. Halved his foursomes match with partner Davis Love III against Miguel Angel Jimenez-Padraig Harrington, lost his day-two foursomes match with partner Justin Leonard against Sergio Garcia-Jesper Parnevik and lost his singles match to Colin Montgomerie, 1-down.