Quotes of the Week: 2016 Ryder Cup
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Jack Nicklaus
“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
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Arnold Palmer
“Jack, I think it was fantastic. Congratulations. Arn. P.S. Do you think there’s a chance for a 56 year old?” – his telegram to Jack Nicklaus after Nicklaus’ 1986 Masters win
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Gary Player
“Arnold Palmer simply transcended the game of golf. He was inspirational to so many and lived his life to the fullest. He had a slashing, dashing style accompanied with a knowing smile. He was loved by all even when they did not know him. He always made an effort, even when the odds were stacked against him.” – on the passing of Arnold Palmer
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Phil Mickelson
“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
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Hal Sutton
“The thing the Ryder Cup doesn’t need is drama. It creates enough drama on its own. Phil created a lot of drama that week, if we remember, because he switched his clubs and his ball prior to that week. It was very self-serving for him to do that prior to the Ryder Cup in 2004. So, if he needs me to shoulder the blame for his poor play, I can do that.” – in response to Mickelson’s criticism of his captaincy
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Hal Sutton (continued)
“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.”
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Phil Mickelson
“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
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P.J. Willett
"For the Americans to stand a chance of winning, they need their baying mob of imbeciles to caress their egos every step of the way. Team Europe needs to shut these groupies up. They need to silence the pudgy, basement-dwelling, irritants, stuffed on cookie dough and pissy beer, pausing between mouthfuls of hot dog so they can scream 'Baba booey' until their jelly faces turn red." – Danny’s brother in a column for the National Club Golfer
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P.J. Willett (continued)
"(The Euros) need to stun the angry, unwashed, Make America Great Again swarm, desperately gripping their concealed-carry compensators and belting out a mini-erection including 'Mashed potato,' hoping to impress their cousin. They need to smash the obnoxious dads with their shiny teeth, Lego-man hair, medicated ex-wives, and resentful children.”
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P.J. Willett (continued)
"I am desperate for a win. Such desperation can lead to puerile outbursts. A more immature mind than mine might resort to petty insults or unflattering generalisations."
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Danny Willett
“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
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Danny Willett
“Family is family. He’s still my brother.” – in further response to P.J.’s column
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Martin Kaymer
“So people definitely recognize my career more because of the Ryder Cup putt than any other tournament I ever won in my career.” – the U.S. Open, PGA and Players champion on his Ryder Cup-clinching putt in 2012
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Lee Westwood
“You form a task force and it doesn't go right this week, where do you go from there? You've done pretty much all you can do. So we'll see how that goes.” – on Thursday, concerning the U.S. Ryder Cup task force
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Phil Mickelson
“Certainly I felt more pressure heading into today’s matches, given the buildup over the last couple of years, the criticism, the comments. I could have copped out and asked to sit, but that would have been a total weak move, and I wanted to get out there. Put me out there. I enjoy that pressure.” – insisting to play in the opening session, Friday morning foursomes
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Rory McIlroy
“I bowed to them, said, ‘You’re welcome for the show,’ and we move on.” – on his closing eagle to win his fourballs match Friday afternoon
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Rory McIlroy
“The more they shouted, the better we played. I hope they shout at us all day tomorrow.” – on his back-and-forth win the American fans on Saturday
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Patrick Reed
“I was made for this kind of stuff.” – Reed, after taking down Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose with six birdies and an eagle Saturday afternoon
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Sergio Garcia
“This is what I live for. Obviously, I've been reminded probably 300 times that I haven't won a major this week, but I love these moments. I love being in Ryder Cups. I love playing for my teammates. I love playing for Europe. Even if I never get a major, it doesn't matter, because these moments, nobody can take away from me.”
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Lee Westwood
“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
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Danny Willett
"S---." - when asked, in light of Europe's loss and his brother's comments, to describe his first Ryder Cup
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