Quotes from the open
Thursday's Quotes of the Day
“One for the old farts.” – 1998 champion Mark O’Meara, now age 56, on his four under round of 67, tied for second
“Beyond angry. 5 bogeys for 1 over. Two 3 putts, so frustrating when you play so well and don’t finish it off… 8th hole is a joke, 18th needs a windmill and a clown face.” – Ian Poulter tweets his feelings to his 1.5 million followers
“It was fine and fair. If you play well, there’s a good score out there for you. He’s always moaning, Poults. You can’t pay too much attention to him.” – Lee Westwood, who shot the same score as Poulter to finish the first day tied for 27th
“The organisers should let go of their ego and set the course up the way the best players can win.” – Phil Mickelson, after shooting a two under 69 to lie tied for ninth
“I think they are very foolish to express their views like that. Mickelson is very much in the hunt and Poulter is only one over. Poulter’s remarks are just childish. It’s just ridiculous. I never heard Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer come out with comments like that… It’s a PhD, not an O-Level.” – Peter Alliss
“Trust me. It was tough, it was challenging, but unfair? No. I’m not saying I haven’t complained or got upset on the golf course, but I’m not a big fan of guys that whine a lot. I just don’t see any reason for it. Players need to conduct themselves in the right manner. When they don’t, it does bother me.” – Mark O’Meara
“It’s so much fun out there. Every shot is like a chess match. It’s exactly what links ought to be. It’s beautiful. The course is absolutely perfect.” – 2009 champion Stewart Cink, who carded a one over 72 to be tied for 27th
“I don’t think Muirfield is a patch on the US Open last month. Some of the greens at Merion were farcical to play on.” – 1999 European Ryder Cup captain Mark James
“We’re conscious of player comments and have taken note as we plan how to set up the greens tomorrow. I do understand some players get frustrated. Ian Poulter bogeyed four of the last five holes — he was bound to get frustrated. It’s a very testing, tough Open Championship. It’s far from unplayable.” – Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A
“I’m still in a bit of a daze. Nobody is expecting me to be up there. It’s a funny name in the middle of all these proven Major winners. I can say I led The Open Championship, the greatest tournament there is. It’s nice.” – Shiv Kapur who finished three under on 68, tied for fourth
“That view standing on the first tee – we were four deep at that time which is pretty darn cool… I’ll take that as my shot of the day. You won’t be seeing me next year. No way.” Sir Nick Faldo on carding an eight over 79 in his first competitive round for three years
“I made stupid mental errors. I made sloppy bogeys on four and five. I let shots get away from me – too many loose shots. I missed the ball in wrong places. Sometimes I feel like I’m walking around out there a bit unconscious. I’ve got to try to think a bit more. I’m trying to concentrate. I can’t really fathom it. It’s so brain dead.” – Rory McIlroy on his eight over 79
“I’ve known him since he was 12. I’m like big granddad here. I’m trying to give him a little caring, loving help. I like the kid. He’s a friend. I’ve been there, seen it, I know what can happen… When I saw him before the PGA, he said ‘Every part of my game is good or better than good’. Wouldn’t say that now, would he?” – Sir Nick Faldo on McIlroy
“Sometimes you have to take these home truths. He has got to regroup. It’s not as if he can take time off, but he needs a break. His brain is fried right now. His body language is terrible. He’s obviously upset with the way he’s playing. He’s embarrassed, almost.” – David Leadbetter on McIlroy
“I been a skier, enjoy very much. You cannot distract for anything because the bull can take you. If you breaking your leg at 30 years old, you could say okay, I’m going to have sabbatic year, but at 49 you don’t want to spend any sabbatic day. I feel pissed off.” – Miguel Angel Jiminez, on how he felt about breaking his leg last December
“I get recognised more over here than in my home country. The other night we were sitting outside a little fish and chips place. The owner says ‘You’re American. You’re either on vacation or playing in The Open. You play golf, don’t you?’ I said ‘Yes’. And he couldn’t think of my name.” – 2004 champion Todd Hamilton