Those of you who followed the 2008 U.S. Open Golf Championship this past weekend saw a masterful comeback by the game’s top player, Tiger Woods. He forced an eighteen-hole playoff with a 12-foot birdie putt on Sunday, and then came from behind once more to finally finish off Rocco Mediate in Monday’s playoff -- although even then, a nineteenth sudden-death hole was necessary.

The victory was made even more impressive by the post-championship reveal that Tiger had been playing for at least ten months with a torn ACL in his left knee, as well as a double stress fracture in his left tibia that he suffered two weeks before the U.S. Open. Hank Haney, his swing coach, gave this account of what Tiger said when doctors told him the best treatment was three weeks on crutches, followed by three weeks of rest: “I’m playing the U.S. Open, and I’m going to win.” What a baller.

Tiger will soon have season-ending surgery to repair the damage, and he should be back in time for next April’s Masters Tournament. But EA is, of course, proceeding with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, and they’re bringing Haney in to assist players with their golf game. At the outset, he’ll rate your game in four areas: Power, Accuracy, Short Game, and Putting. Then, after each round, Haney will give you “customized feedback” on your performance.

For some video of Haney in the game, as well as the series’ vaunted player creator mode, check out the two-minute ‘Performance Coach’ trailer above. If you’re interested in images, the gallery below has seven screenshots of the Xbox 360 version of the game. Even more details can be found in the press release (after the jump). Look for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 to hit stores on August 26th for the PS3, 360, Wii, PS2, and PSP.

EA'S TIGER WOODS PGA TOUR 09 INTRODUCES PERFORMANCE COACH

Hank Haney Serves as Gamers' Personal Performance Coach

June 17, 2008 – Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 features dynamic, personalized gameplay via Tiger Woods' personal coach, Hank Haney. An all-new addition to this year's game, Haney will assist gamers as they hit the links and try to advance their career to win the FedExCup. Right out of the box, Haney will assess your game in four areas: Power, Accuracy, Short Game and Putting and gamers will be given a skill level in each of those four areas.

In Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09, a player's skill level is dynamic, constantly adjusting throughout the round just as it would during a real afternoon out on the links. Following each round, Haney will deliver customized feedback on a player's performance. This feedback system allows all gamers, rookies or PGA TOUR pros, to compete and enjoy the game at any level.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 09 will be available on August 26 on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®2 and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment systems, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Wii™.

For more information, please visit www.easports.com/tigerwoods09.