Rory McIlroy’s week included a special preview of ‘Anchorman 2' and a trip back to the winner’s circle in Australia, while Adam Scott didn’t win a tournament for the first time in recent memory. All that and more in this week’s edition of Quotes of the Week.
“The medical team treating Joe is optimistic about a full recovery absent any complications.” – Mona, CEO of the World Golf Foundation, in a release, after the CEO of The First Tee, Joe Louis Barrow Jr., suffered a hemorrhagic stroke.
“Everyone knows that Lee and Billy were a great partnership and it made sense that now Billy is fully fit again that the partnership reforms … They’ve had their heart-to-heart, sorted out whatever needed sorting out, and Billy will be back on Lee’s bag permanently, starting at Tiger’s event next week. Mike is a top lad, a class act, and took Lee’s decision as we knew he would.” – Chandler, Lee Westwood’s manager, on Westwood’s decision to hire back caddie Billy Foster, after letting him go 18 months ago.
“Obviously there was a purpose. They are going to grab whatever they can grab to further isolate themselves and keep from being bordered by homes. They ideally would like to move to the country. If they can’t move to the country, they are moving the country to the course.” – Parry, Augusta resident, commenting on the reported $8.3 million Augusta National shelled out to purchase a 456-unit garden apartment complex that they plan to tear down in order to build a parking lot.
“It was great to meet all the crew, and I’m obviously a big fan of Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and a few of the other guys. It was a pretty cool thing to do. … I think (Ferrell) is a bit of a golf fan as well, so that’s nice. I think everyone loved the first ‘Anchorman,’ and the second one was just as good.” – McIlroy, after attending the Australian premiere of ‘Anchorman 2.’
“That’s amazing, I didn’t know that. It’s great and I’m really looking forward to playing in the Open. I tried to stay calm and play my own game. I felt very good.” – Ting, 13, on qualifying to become the fourth youngest player to compete in a European Tour event.
“Winning the Scottish Open was a huge factor in my success the next week at the Open Championship. I was able to acclimate myself to the time change, the weather, the wind, the links conditions and all in the heat of serious competition, which itself was a big added plus.” – Mickelson, in a press release, announcing he would be returning to defend his Scottish Open title this year.
“I woke up this morning and something wasn’t right in my eye. The doctor advised me it was pretty badly infected, and while I’ve been trying to use eye drops, I just started getting dizzy so I couldn’t go on.” – Streelman, after being forced to withdraw during the second round of the Australian Open with an eye injury.
“It’s something that only one person has ever done in Australia. It’s not something that happens very often. I’d have to think it’s a pretty great milestone for an Australian golfer to win all three events down here. … I’ll give it my best and hopefully you can ask me Sunday night and I can tell you where I reckon it ranks. It’s the last week of the year for me. I want to finish big.” – Scott on the possibility of winning the Australian triple crown.
“It’s been a long year. I guess mentally more than physically. Physically, golf doesn’t take that much out of you, but mentally it’s quite draining, especially this year for me. – McIlroy, before beginning play at the Australian Open. McIlroy broke out of his yearlong slump with a dramatic win over Adam Scott.
“It’s just the way golf is,” Scott told reporters afterward, via the Sydney Morning Herald. “I’m gutted. I felt like I never had a better chance to win the Aussie Open.” – Scott, after losing to Rory McIlroy at the Australian Open despite holding a four-shot lead heading into the final round.
“You’re working hard, you’re trying to find the reasons why … It’s frustrating, but I never lost belief. Golf is a long career, I’m 24 years old, and I can get a bit impatient at times. If I take a step back and look at the big picture, it hasn’t been too bad of a year. It’s been made a lot better with this win.” – McIlroy, after winning the Australian Open for his first win of 2013.