Top Quotes of 2016, Part 2

“Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take.” – on why he is skipping the Olympics

“When you look back at the whole issue, you can break it down into two parts. It’s a rules of golf issue, of trying to make sure that you apply the rules correctly the way they’re written. And we do believe we did that,” Davis said. “But there’s another part of it in terms of the conduct of the championship itself, and that’s where we’d really like a mulligan because clearly we made a big bogey.” - on how the USGA handled the Dustin Johnson penalty

“When I get to 40, I would like to see where I’m at in my career because I might want to go, ‘You know what, I’m done. I’m just happy with everything,’ and I’m going to go off my merry way and I’ll probably never pick up a golf club ever again.” – on his possible retirement plans

''I felt like Mr. Haverkamp out of ‘Caddyshack’ trying to find his golf ball and not knowing where the golf hole goes.’' - after hitting only three fairways in Round 3 at Firestone

“I’m not afraid of mosquitoes. I’m more afraid of bears.” – on confirming he will play in the Olympics

“I go partying. Partying all night.” – jokingly telling reporters on her plan to prepare for the final round at the U.S. Women’s Open

“I’ll probably watch the Olympics, but I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I’ll watch. … Probably the events like track and field, swimming, diving. The stuff that matters.”

“I’ve spent seven years trying to please everyone, and I figured out that I can’t really do that, so I may as well be true to myself.” – after receiving criticism for his anti-Olympic comments

“I shot one of the most incredible rounds and feel like crying.” – on his lipped-out putt and failed bid for the first ever round of 62 in a major

“It’s another unfortunate situation. But, yeah, I shouldn’t talk about it.” – when asked about the penalty assessed to Anna Nordqvist at the U.S. Women’s Open, not long after his own rules debacle at Oakmont

''Golf is fun, until you hit somebody in the head.”

“He thought he could drink whiskey like me. That didn’t pan out too good. He tried to keep up, but just couldn’t.” – on the time he hung out with Andrew “Beef” Johnston.

“The more I’ve been myself, the more comfortable I’ve felt out on the golf course. The more I’ve just had fun and be me, the better I’ve played. So you’ve just got to be comfortable in who you are, what you do. Don’t be ashamed to be different or anything, you know, that’s you. And no matter who you are, where you are, where you’re from, people should embrace that, you know.” – on advice he’d give kids who are different.

“The reality is incredible. The reality hasn’t sunk in yet. Firstly, it’s heavier than I expected, so I’ve kind of got a forward lean going on.” – on winning the gold medal

“I can’t explain to you the pride that I feel now – just busting out of my chest…just to make an Olympics, and then to medal, is amazing.” – on winning the bronze medal after a 63 on Sunday

“This really could be the highlight of my career.” – after winning the Olympic gold medal

“Obviously it pleasantly surprised me. There was more people at the golf events than there was at the athletic events. It was good to see, it really was. To see the crowds and see the turnout, I was glad to be somewhat proven wrong.” – offering a new view on Olympic golf, one sharply in contrast with his prior criticism

“[T]he fact that it put a kink in our schedule this year irritates me. To mess with the four tournaments that matter most because you’re at the Olympics, I’ve got a strong, strong disdain for that.”

“It was hard emotionally [for us], and it was hard emotionally for Tiger. I spoke with him a couple times, and he was upset, and I was upset.” – on Tiger Woods’ reaction to Nike’s decision to get out of the golf equipment business

“Given the summer I’ve had, maybe I should have torn it even earlier.” – joking that all of his summer success, including winning his first major title, might have extended further back in time had he torn a ligament in his right knee even sooner

“My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do. Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go.” – announcing his intention to play the Safeway Open, Turkish Airlines Open, and Hero World Challenge this fall

When it came to my turn, I was like, ‘President, you’re so handsome.’ The others didn’t say anything, but when it came to my turn ... I did say that. – on meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing upon returning from Rio de Janeiro

''We’re a great golf team. This is the best golf team, maybe, ever assembled.’'

“Definitely assembled the best task force ever, that’s for sure.”

“I do believe the Euros have got, at least on paper, the worst team they’ve had in many years.”

“I sent [U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III] a text that said, ‘Can I be an assistant captain if you don’t pick me?’ So I put it out there. I want to be a part of the team no matter what.”

“When I heard the news last night, I was just crushed. It just sort of felt like part of my life went with it, which it did. He was such a good competitor, good friend, and so great for the game of golf. He did so much for all of us as it relates to promoting the game, furthering the game, and he did so much for my career as far as being my friend and helping me.” – on the passing of Arnold Palmer

“We were told two days before that we were playing together. And that gave us no time to work together and prepare. [T]hat’s an example of, starting with the captain, that put us in a position to fail and we failed monumentally, absolutely.” – on Hal Sutton’s 2004 decision to pair Mickelson and Tiger Woods

“There’s a lot of controversy that follows Phil everywhere, I’ll leave it at that. He wasn’t even prepared with the ball that he brought to the tournament, much less Tiger’s. So, I think he needs to search his own soul a little bit.”

“I’ve communicated with him. I feel awful. It was never meant to be like that. I was trying to use an example of how a captain can have a strong effect. Unfortunately, it came across the way it did. … I was totally in the wrong. I never should have brought that up. I used an extreme example the way decisions can affect play, and I never should have done that because it affected Hal.” –apologizing for his comments

“I’d just like to apologize obviously to everyone involved for what’s been said. It’s obviously not the thoughts of myself and of the team and of captain Darren [Clarke]. I spoke to [Pete] on the phone after I was made aware of what was said and what has been going on. I was obviously disappointed in what was said and what was written about the American fans, that obviously took me under their wing fantastically back in April.” – in response to P.J.’s column

“I got called a turd yesterday, which is the first time that’s happened since I was about 12 years old, so it made me feel young again.” – during the European team’s closing press conference

“S---.” - when asked to describe his first Ryder Cup

“Remember how Arnold Palmer touched your heart. How he touched your life. And please, don’t forget why.” – speaking during the memorial service

“I called him and he said, ‘Where are you?’ I said, ‘I’m at home. Where are you?’ ‘I’m with the president.’ [Pause] ‘The president of what?’” “Why did you answer?” “I wanted to talk to you.” – Arnold Palmer’s grandson, speaking during the memorial service

“I said, ‘Everybody makes mistakes, and the reason why mommy’s living in her house and daddy’s living in his house is because daddy made some mistakes, and it’s OK.’” - when asked by Charlie Rose how he’s explained his scandal and divorce to his children

“It ain’t as fly as it used to be.” - on golf without Tiger Woods

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel like I can play at the highest level. I have too much pride.” – when asked if he still believed he can break Jack Nicklaus’ major record

“Charlie knows there are two putters that he can’t touch. There’s that black one I won with the trillium insert, I won the Masters in ’97, and this one. They sit next to each other. Touch any other putter, do anything you want with any other putter. These putters are off limits. These two … only Daddy.” – going over the ground rules at home

“The day that we (Nike) were no longer a part of the hard goods side.” - when asked when he put his old Scotty Cameron putter back in his bag