What he said: All the quotes from Saturday at the Open
TOURNAMENT LEADERBOARD
Rory McIlroy (Eagles at 16 and 18 help pile on a six-shot lead)
“My patience was rewarded. I didn’t get off to the best start. I made a big par save on 13, the birdie on 14 was a bonus.”
“I was just sort of waiting for those two holes. I was driving the ball really well and I knew if I could just find the fairway I’d be going in with a fairly short irons. To make two threes there was really important.
“I never panicked and I never felt uncomfortable. I was very patient and waited for my chance and my time.
“I think whenever you have such a big lead, you really can’t think about anyone else but yourself. You have to think about how you’re going to control your emotions. How you’re going to control whatever thoughts you have, trying to stay completely in the present and focus on what you need to do.
“And I’ll go home after this, I’m going to go to the gym. I’ll have some dinner. And the last couple of nights we’ve just watched a movie. So I’ll probably do the same thing and try and get a good night’s sleep. I’ll probably do some light workout in the morning again in the gym and get out here and be prepared to play.”
Rickie Fowler (In the last group but six shots back)
“I’m definitely satisfied with the game. I got off to a great start today through 12 holes. I was playing very solidly, and looking to draw on that tomorrow.
“I had two tee shots that slipped away from me a little bit on the back nine and one approach shot on 17. Three of those definitely cost me the three shots coming in.
“With Rory, being six back, is the same position I was today. If I’m able to go out and get off to a good start, maybe I can put a little bit of pressure on him, because he’s definitely in control of the golf tournament right now.”
Tiger Woods (Slumped to +3 for the tournament)
I made a lot of mistakes. I’ve made two doubles and two triples. But on top of that I missed a lot of shots for opportunities for birdies, and consequently I’m 3-over par.
I’m starting to get the flow of the round, the flow of playing again. But still I’ve just made too many mistakes. You can’t run up high scores like that and expect to contend, especially when the conditions are this benign. Most of the scores are 3-under par or better. I certainly didn’t do that.”
Victor Dubuisson (Frenchman reaches -8 with a classy 68)
“Tomorrow I’ll just try to do my best. If the putts goes in, it can be a good day.”
I just try to focus on my game. And I try to be more relaxed, especially when I’m on the course. Because I think it’s the best way in this type of big tournaments to do well.
“I don’t really watch around. I just focus really on my game. If the crowd is big, it’s not really a big difference. I really focus on my game on the course.”
Adam Scott (Birdie finish keeps World No.1 alive on -6)
“Played well and I putted so poorly the first ten holes, missed every chance I gave myself, and then got in a spot of bother by the green at the 10th. And I was pretty frustrated at that point.
“But with 26 holes left to play in soft conditions, I know I’m playing well. I can create a lot of chances. And if I make some, I could climb back up there and at least I made some the last few holes.
“If you can get it going for 18 holes, there’s a chance for that major scoring record to be broken. If you can post a number at a major, you never know. Because no matter how easy you might think it is, it’s a lot harder with the pressure of a major out there for the leaders.”
Justin Rose (Hanging in there on -5)
“We had a couple of little showers out there, but for the most part it was really scorable, good golfing weather. 69, really my round yesterday was a much, much better round of golf than that one.
“I think I’ve maybe used up my luck the last couple of weeks. This week it’s been sort of hard going for me. I’ve played well and not got the most out of how I feel like I’ve played. And obviously being on the wrong side of the draw.
“There’s not many guys ahead of me that have played on this side of the draw. I’m right there leading the other Open. If you split it up and look at it, I’m doing well considering the guys I’ve played against. Yeah, for the most part I’m happy with my performance.”
Darren Clarke (Superb 68 for the 2011 champion)
“I played nicely all day today. Gave myself lots of chances. Made a few, missed a few. The rain was pretty heavy at the start. But I think we got a break with the weather; it wasn’t supposed to be as good as what it’s turned out to be.
“There’s opportunities there. In saying that, they’ve hidden a lot of flags away behind bunkers. You can make mistakes very easily if you’re not careful.
“It’s the biggest and best tournament in the world. I enjoy playing links golf and The Open Championship is one that I always look forward to playing from the start of the year.
“I’m not as fat as I was. So my timing, it took me a little bit of time to adjust to that. The ball-striking has been pretty good. I just need to knock in a few putts and get some momentum going. It feels like I’ve started to do that.”
Phil Mickelson (Shot 71 and is -1 for the tournament)
“We had fun. But all three of us were frustrated. We had beautiful scoring conditions. First group off and, you know, if we could have shot 7, 8, 9-under par, it probably was out there.
“It was as easy as I’ve seen the course play. We could have made some noise. But, you know, we’re just kind of in there, just made a few birdies. Keegan had a nice round, 3-under. But it could have been a lot lower, and I let a lot of shots slide.
“I’m frustrated because I’ve thrown so many shots away each round. I feel like I’m playing a lot better than what I’m scoring, and that’s frustrating me.
“Just having success in this tournament means a lot to me. Getting a taste of it last year, I just want it more.
“It makes me work harder, make me want to come here and play harder even more.”
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
