“Feeling fit and ready to tee it up at Firestone next week. Excited to get back out there!” – Tiger Woods, in a tweet Thursday, announcing he would return to competition at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after taking 11 weeks off to rest a healing Achilles and left knee injury.
“I have seen him since then but we have just been chatting and setting a game plan for the future. … This time off has been an excellent opportunity for us to put in place a plan with the big picture in mind.”
– Sean Foley, saying that he has not worked with Tiger Woods on the practice range since The Players in May.
“We spoke with Mark Steinberg regarding Tiger and the PGA Championship and, assuming everything goes well in Akron next week and there are no complications, Tiger intends to play the PGA Championship.” – The PGA of America, in a statement released Friday, to confirm that Tiger Woods is committed to play the PGA Championship in two weeks at Atlanta Athletic Club.
“After much consideration and in light of my ambitions for the next phase of my career, I have determined that IMG remains the company best positioned to support me and the ANNIKA portfolio of businesses.” – Annika Sorenstam, on her decision to stick with IMG instead of remaining with longtime agent Mark Steinberg, who left the company in May and now works for Excel Sports Management.
“McIlroy’s course management was shocking … Some of the worst course management I have ever seen beyond under 10’s boys’ golf competition.” – Jay Townsend, analyst and former professional golfer, tweeted Friday with his opinion on Rory McIlroy’s play at the Irish Open.
“Shut up. You’re a commentator and a failed golfer. Your opinion means nothing!” – Rory McIlroy, in a tweet responding to Townsend’s mild criticism of his second round at the Irish Open.
“My self-inflicted man flu hasn’t quite gotten that much better yet. … But I’m feeling strong enough to play well.”
– Darren Clarke, after an epic post-British Open weeklong booze fest that left him feeling under the weather. Clarke missed the cut at the Irish Open after shooting rounds of 69-74.
“It’s so great making history on this golf course and I feel wonderful right now. … It feels really good and I hope to keep winning. Next year there are another four majors and I will try and organize and keep working hard.”
– Yani Tseng, after winning her fifth major
– the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Carnoustie
– to become the youngest player at 22 years and 6 months old to reach five major titles.
“First, there’s not going to be any 59s shot. … The greens are a lot firmer. The ball is not going to stop. ... It’s like playing the links greens where they really are hard and they release.”
– Tom Watson, commenting on the conditions of the Old White TPC course at this week’s Greenbrier Classic and how they’ve toughened since the inaugural event in 2010. Stuart Appleby carded a final-round 59 last year en route to his ninth PGA Tour victory.