A few favorite quotes and tidbits from Friday’s competition:
A baiting British writer asked Phil Mickelson, who won both of his matches with Keegan Bradley, to comment on BBC commentators wondering how he “got such a suntan after spending so much time in the trees?” Phil bit his tongue and shot back: “You know, we won, right? I’m not sure you saw the result. Okay.”
Mickelson about partner Bradley: “The more pressure the situation, the better he plays; the better he sees the shot; the better he focuses; and the better the result. And there’s no more pressure situation, no higher-pressure situation than the Ryder Cup.”
Nicolas Colsaerts on putting instructor Dave Stockton: “Well, I started working with Dave Stockton close to two years ago now. On top of being a fantastic putting teacher, he’s a fantastic guy as well. I’ve had a wonderful time perfecting my putting skills with him and it brought me a lot of confidence, especially on those slick greens that we get to play in America.” Stockton also has worked with Rory McIlroy. See my review of Stockton’s book, “Unconscious Putting” at http://theaposition.com/teemoore/golf/golf/instruction/591/q-a-with-dave-stockton-part-i
When asked by playing partner and red-hot putter Colsaerts how long was his momentous birdie putt at the 17th hole, a deadpan Lee Westwood quipped, “I wasn’t watching.”
When asked if Tiger Woods had said anything to him during his sensational round (8 birdies and an eagle), Colsaerts replied: “No, except on 18 when somebody like Tiger Woods looks at you and goes, ‘Great playing, man,’ you understand you’ve done something pretty good.”
On sitting down Tiger Woods for the first time in his Ryder Cup career, Captain Davis Love III said: “We just felt like we didn’t want anybody to have to play five matches on this golf course…We just don’t want guys to be worn out. We need Tiger and Steve in the afternoon… and on Sunday.”
European Captain Jose Maria Olazabal: “There are no secrets about this game. You have to make more birdies than your opponent. And if you don’t do that, you’re going to struggle.”
