From Zach Johnson’s Open win to Robert Allenby’s blow-up with caddie Mick Middlemo to Gary Player’s call for a black champion, enjoy this edition of Quotes of the Week.
From Zach Johnson’s Open win to Robert Allenby’s blow-up with caddie Mick Middlemo to Gary Player’s call for a black champion, enjoy this edition of Quotes of the Week.
“I said to [Middlemo], ‘You know this happens every week. This has happened for, like, the last three or four or five months. We keep making bad mistakes and you’re not helping me in these circumstances.’ And he just lost the plot at me. He just told me I could go eff myself. And I said ‘Look, you need to slow down. I mean, just calm down.’ And then he just got right in my face as if he wanted to just beat me up. I said, ‘Stop being a such and such and calm down and get back into the game.’ And he just got even closer and closer and I just said, ‘That’s it. You’re sacked.’ I said, ‘I will never have you caddie ever again.’” - on what transpired between he and caddie Mick Middlemo, who walked off mid-round at the Canadian Open
“I’m so sick of this fu----- bu------ you c---. ... I said, ‘Look, if you want someone to abuse, get someone out of the parking lot.’ And then he said it to me again and I said, ‘I dare you to call me a c--- again.’ That was it.” - Middlemo’s account of what transpired with Allenby
“I’ve known Rob for a long time and I’ve known Mick for a long time. It’s disappointing that at age 42, or however old he [Allenby] is, he’s still treating people that way and how many good caddies he’s gone through. ... If Rob tells the true story, I’m not speaking out. Lies affect Mick’s career.” - A fellow caddie’s account of the Allenby-Middlemo incident while looping for S.J. Park in the same group.
“We need Tiger Woods. Why? He’s a man of color. We need a black champion.” - in an interview with Omnisport.
“Let’s get one thing straight, yesterday I did not play golf at all or fire my caddy after 9 holes. No confusion needed.” -Appleby, who continues to be confused with Allenby
“Totally gutted I had to WD from our national championship. Thanks for all the kind words. Hopefully just a short recovery. #OhCanada” - on withdrawing from the Canadian Open with a hand injury
“I completely respect the court’s decision, and I humbly accept the judgment by the law. I am sorry to all those who have supported me, including all my fans and South Koreans, for causing anxiety.” - on losing his court battle and returning to South Korea to complete two years of mandatory military service.
“I’m looking at the board thinking, ‘OK, I’ve got Louis (Oosthuizen),’ and there’s Adam Scott at one point and all of these guys, and I’m thinking, ‘Where’s Jordan?’ And then sure enough, here he comes on 16, he makes a bomb and he’s right in the middle of it again.” - The Open champion on his thoughts down the stretch at St. Andrews
“I’m at a loss for words. I’m grateful, humbled. I’m thankful. I’m honored. This is the birthplace of the game.” - on his Open Championship win