From Jordan Spieth to Tiger Woods: Quotes of the Open 2015

Alex Dimond - Golf Correspondent 09:53 21/07/2015
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    • Johnson, Spieth, Oosthuizen and Leishman all performed well at St. Andrews.

    Zach Johnson won the British Open on Monday, emerging victorious from a gripping four-hole playoff against Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman.

    In what proved to be an exciting weekend, here’s a look back at the winners and losers from St. Andrews.

    “It wasn’t too difficult to get over it. Obviously I was a little disappointed I didn’t get the job done, but you know, I was definitely happy with the way I played. We talked, but not too much about it. He just said, great playing, and you’ll get the next one.” – Dustin Johnson at the start of the week, reflecting on his US Open disappointment and whether he had talked about it with Jordan Spieth. 

    “I know some of you guys think I’m buried and done, but I’m still right here in front of you.” – Tiger Woods, speaking at the start of the week.

    “When we lost the Ryder Cup, me, Rickie, Sergio and Rory – you’ve probably heard of those guys before – we all wore [a kilt] in our team room. I hate to say, I had underwear on under mine. Some other guys … did not.” – Bubba Watson, on wearing a kilt.

    “Maybe I can help him with some visualisation and maybe take him to the next level!” – Rickie Fowler, after hearing that Bubba Watson had complained about not being able to see his shots around St Andrews.

    “The only regret I have is that it’s the end.”– Five-time champion Tom Watson ahead of his final ever Open appearance.

    “I’m sure embracing that opportunity, but by the time I start on Thursday, it won’t be in my head. It’ll be about how can I bring this Open Championship down to just another event, get out there and try and get myself into contention.” – Jordan Spieth, on chasing the grand slam at St Andrews.

    “I was a little … angered a little bit. But hey, I figured I’ve got 17 holes to fight through it.” – Tiger Woods, after putting his second shot of the tournament into the water. He would shoot 76.

    “I was obviously feeling really good. I tried not to think about it too much.” David Lingmerth, after reaching seven-under after nine holes on Thursday. He would come home in 40, shooting 69.

    “I’ve learned what this type of golf demands of me. I think there was a time when I thought you had to kill it. You had to hit it 290 yards in the air and hit it left essentially every hole.” – Zach Johnson, one off leader Dustin Johnson after the first round, on growing to love St Andrews.

    “I just had a text message off my mom saying ‘Well done, you’ve made the cut.’ I haven’t read all of them yet. That was the one that sprung from my mind.” – Englishman Danny Willett, after taking the second round lead at -9 after a second round of 69.

    “It’s been one heck of a run.” – Tom Watson waves farewell after an emotional walk up the 18th on Friday evening.

    “I was just trying to say, thank you, St. Andrews. That’s why I looked at the gods, the St. Andrews golfing gods at 17. I thought, thank you very much for that. I felt beat up yesterday, but that was one of my great moments of any career, making a three there and walking the walk. That won’t get any better.” – Sir Nick Faldo on his Open farewell, after making birdie at the Road Hole and then being saluted up the last.

    “We never should have started.” – Jordan Spieth on the windy conditions of Saturday morning, that saw many players struggle with balls rolling off the greens.

    “I mean, I don’t know, I don’t complain too much, but yeah, I’m sure I said a few things.” – Dustin Johnson, after his ball was blown off the ball at the 14th on Saturday morning. He rebounded to claim the 36-hole lead at -10.

    “Well clearly with the benefit of hindsight, it would have been better if play hadn’t started, but the decision was taken based on the evidence at the time.” – R&A chief executive Peter Dawson defending the decision to send players out on Saturday morning.

    “The first mistake I made was spotting that there was a spare seat next to [Ian Poulter and Darren Clarke] when I came in. I mean, it was great fun, but I’m not the best on my phone. They were taking pictures of me scratching my head and it did look as though I was a complete idiot … which I probably am with a phone to be fair, but it was good fun and that Periscope stuff … I picked up so many followers just from that five-minute Periscope with Poulter. It’s amazing.” – Paul Lawrie, speaking about Saturday’s issues.

    “I only made three birdies in two days. That’s not very good. The golf course wasn’t playing that hard. I just didn’t get much out of any of the two rounds.” – Tiger Woods, who went home early after finishing +7 and missing the cut by seven shots.

    “It was more entertainment than anything else for me going home. Yeah, he went lame on the 10th. Thankfully he’s the jockey and I’m the horse.” – Padraig Harrington, after his caddie hurt his back midway through the third round.

    “Why should it add more pressure in a negative way? If it adds more pressure, it just makes me feel like this is something that’s a little more special, let’s go ahead and get the job done.” – Jordan Spieth, one shot off the lead heading into the final round, on the pressure of chasing the grand slam.

    “Just couldn’t hole the putts … They just weren’t going in the hole. There’s nothing you can really do about that.” – Dustin Johnson, after his challenge crumbled with a disastrous third round 75.

    “Yeah, it’s surreal I’m leading The Open, but I can easily believe that I shot the three scores that I shot. If we were playing an amateur event here, I wouldn’t be too surprised by the scores I shot. It’s just lucky that it happens to be in the biggest event in the world.” – Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who played his way into the final group with a third round 66. He would shot 78 on Monday.

    “I’m just a guy from Iowa that has been blessed with a talent, and this game provides great opportunity. This isn’t going to define me or my career, at least I hope it doesn’t. It’s not my legacy. Granted, as a professional athlete and as a golfer I’m going to relish this. I’m going to savor this. I’m humbled by this. But my legacy should be my kids, my family, that kind of thing.” – Open champion Zach Johnson, who defeated Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in a playoff.

    “I always had the number 16 in my head. I thought if I could get to 16-under you would be in a playoff or you might win it and. I should have got there!” – Louis Oosthuizen, after losing in a playoff. He finished the tournament 15-under.

    “I don’t know how many guys have done three majors in a year. I’m sure there’s only been a few. So that would be the next goal as far as the history goes. Sights set on the PGA Championship.” – Jordan Spieth, quickly putting the disappointment of coming up short behind him.

    “For sure I would rank it the top accomplishment I’ve had so far, the Silver Medal in a major championship, especially at St. Andrews. It’s definitely a dream come true.” Leading amateur Jordan Niebrugge, after finishing tied for sixth.

    “I would have said, whose [jacket] am I trying on, and whose [Claret Jug] am I touching?!” 2015 Open champion (and 2007 Masters champion) Zach Johnson, on how he would have responded if someone told him 15 years ago he would hold both famous trophies.

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