Quotes of the Week

• By Golf Channel Digital
• Aug 28, 2011 2:00 PM ET

“We weighed all the options available to us, and under normal circumstances, we would obviously prefer to complete 72 holes. … But these aren’t normal circumstances.” – PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, on the decision to shorten the first event in the playoff series due to the threat of Hurricane Irene hitting New Jersey, site of The Barclays, Saturday afternoon.

“Unfortunately, Irene is not cooperating.” – Slugger White, the PGA Tour’s vice president of rules and competition, on the tropical storm that hit the east coast this week.

“The groove change rule has made a massive change to my game.  An incredibly big change.  A massive change. I would say the game is a lot easier with the other grooves for me.” – Padraig Harington, on how he wishes the USGA and R&A hadn’t changed the grooves rule that took effect last year. Since the rule change, Harrington is down from sixth to 75th in the world rankings.

“I’m always telling myself I’m a once-a-year player. And this could be my week right here.” – Anthony Kang, the only American to make the cut at the Johnnie Walker Championship this week in Scotland. The 38-year-old American missed the cut in 18 of his 23 events and is in danger of losing his European Tour card.

“I’ve told him that he’s going to be on the team. … There is no reason for me to wait until Sept. 26 to pick Tiger. He’s the best player in the world forever.” – Fred Couples, on his official decision to use one of his two captain’s picks for the Presidents Cup on Tiger Woods, which he announced one month before he was required to.

“Why it’s going so well is that we have so much in common. … Obviously, different sports, but we’re pretty much in the same position at a young age and we can talk about things that probably a lot of 21, 22 year olds can’t talk about. It’s nice to have someone that sort of understands what you’re going through.” – Rory McIlroy, on his relationship with Danish professional tennis player and world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki. The duo met in July.

“I knew when I was on the tee box, it wasn’t over.” – Patrick Cantlay, on his triumph over Max Buckley in the Round of 16 at the U.S. Amateur, where he was 2 down with two holes left. Cantlay went on to beat Buckley in 19 holes, one day after defeating celebrated English amateur Tom Lewis in 21 holes.

“Patrick’s got a much better short game than mine.” – Tom Lewis, after losing, 3 and 1, to Patrick Cantlay in the third round of the U.S. Amateur. Lewis plans to stay amateur to play in the Walker Cup in September. Afterward, he plans to play in European Tour events on sponsor’s exemptions and earn his card based on earnings.

“You’re trying to survive. It’s desperation. … It’s sadistic. In a way it’s fun, if you’re into that (stuff).” – Ernie Els, on the nature of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Els would have been eliminated had The Barclays been cut short to 36 holes instead of 54, where Els shot 67 Saturday to move from 118th in the standings to No. 99 and thus, advances to next week’s Deutsche Bank Championship.