“When I sit down and reflect on it over Christmas, to win my first major and to win a couple more tournaments and to play as well as I have in most of the tournaments I have entered, it’s been a great year.” – Rory McIlroy, reflecting on his 2011 season.
“The first one people may say she is lucky for the week. But she won again, so it kind of validates it.” – Scott Thompson, father and caddie to 16-year-old Lexi Thompson, on winning the Dubai Ladies Masters. Lexi is now the youngest professional winner on both the LPGA and Ladies European Tour.
‘I have no regrets. I have tried my hardest, so there’s nothing I can do.” – Michelle Wie, reflecting on her injury-ridden 2011 season that produced less-than-stellar results.
“I’ve beat myself up a lot this year because I expected so much of myself after my success in 2010.” – Graeme McDowell, who rated his 2011 season a 6 ½ out of 10.
“I’ll be carried out with a typewriter … I am so happy I chose this profession.” – Dan Jenkins, 82, who has covered 211 major championships in his career as a sports journalist and has no intentions of slowing. In May 2012, Jenkins will become the sixth writer inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
“I feel my rights were violated.” – Jeff Overton, after having been arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, public intoxication and disorderly conduct. Overton was booked into the Monroe County Jail in Bloomington, Ind. at 3:18 a.m., then released at noon after posting $500 bond.
“For Coach (David) Shaw to think highly enough of me to be involved in the game and be able to talk to his kids is very special.’ – Tiger Woods, on being asked to be an honorary captain for the Stanford Cardinal as they face Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2 in Glendale, Ariz.
“It’s a great honor to cap off what has been an amazing year for me.” – Luke Donald, on winning the PGA Tour and European Tour money titles, as well as each tour’s respective player-of-the-year awards for 2011.
‘The way he keeps us loose and how much fun we have – it’s just great to play for him.” – Woods, again, on how two-time Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples would make a great leader of the American Ryder Cup team in 2014 and beyond.
“The fact that I led wire to wire – 60 in the first round and 64 in the second round, 20 under after two rounds – it’s yours to lose really with an 11-shot lead. There was pressure involved.” – Lee Westwood, on his seven-shot victory at the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship.