US OPEN – DAY THREE QUOTES

All the reaction from golf’s big names to day three of the 2007 US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.
Aaron Baddeley (69-212): “Tomorrow, I mean, obviously I’m going to deal with some emotions because I’ve never been in this position before. But I play golf, I’ve worked my whole life to be in this position so I’m going to embrace it. I’m very comfortable playing with Tiger in a major. When I see that pairing, I’m always pleased, because he’s the best player in the world, and I like playing with the best players in the world; I always have done. When I was young, I remember asking Greg Norman for a practice round; I remember asking David Duval for practice rounds, because these guys were the best players in the world. I just enjoy playing with the guys who are the best at what they do.”
Tiger Woods (69-214): “I hit a lot of good putts that just grazed the edge. I’d be miffed if I didn’t hit good putts but I did. On these greens, like on five and seven, I had putts that were downhill and broke two to three feet – you can’t really take a run at those. I probably had two or three putts that I could have made.”
Paul Casey (72-215): “I started off today really well. I didn’t find as many fairways as I did yesterday, which is why the score was a couple over, but it was great. A lot of support out there, people when I got to 2-under wishing me on for a 63, which was never going to happen around there, but it was a nice thought. I’m excited going into tomorrow. I’ve kept it going, and I did make bogeys and bounced back with birdies here and there, and that’s what I’m excited about, I managed to make birdies on a tough golf course. If I can hole putts tomorrow near the end, I can give myself a chance.”
Justin Rose (73-215): “Well, I think basically the last couple tournaments I’ve played I’ve been right in the hunt, right down to the wire. Obviously Augusta is the probably the biggest thing I can draw on. I was one back playing 17. So, again, right in the hunt, and I was in the position there where I was doing the chasing, and I got on a nice roll. And hopefully I can feed off those good vibes tomorrow. And last time I played (BMW PGA Championship) I finished birdie, par, birdie to get myself into a playoff; and try and play off those positive thoughts.”
Stephen Ames (73-215); “I like my chances, obviously. I think anybody within five shots of the lead has got to like their chances. Of course, the man that’s moved into contention is Tiger; he’s the guy to beat at this stage right now. At this stage, I’m in a wonderful position. I’ve never been in this position at this calibre of a major, but at the same time it’s the same players that I beat at The Players Championship, and I look forward to it tomorrow.”
Jim Furyk (70-216): “If I would have shot 70 and finished bogey-bogey. I probably would have been disappointed but to come in there birdie-birdie, and it makes you (feel) good coming off the last green. I felt like I played well today, hit the ball well, got off to a rocky start, but kept the ball in the fairways, from about four on, gave myself opportunities, and hit a few bad putts and hit a few good ones that didn’t go in. So I felt like after three-putting 16, I left a lot out on the golf course. I hit the golf ball I thought better. And 2-over par, everybody thinks that in the U.S. Open – it definitely took the sting out birdieing the last two, and I was three back of the lead when I finished. So put myself in good position for the golf tournament. I’m happy with the finish, and hopefully I can hit the ball the same way tomorrow and knock in some more putts and put some heat on those guys.”
Steve Stricker (68-216): “I played solidly all the way around. And just drove it in the edge of the bunker on the last hole. And I tried to hit a hero shot up there to the green and didn’t pull it off. But I was fortunate enough to have a third shot and the numbers were good. You don’t expect to hole it, but I thought I could get it up closer to a five- to ten-footer to try to get a par. And what a way to finish; icing on the cake today for me, and gives me a chance for going in tomorrow.”
Nick Dougherty (74-219): “I am furious with how I finished. I just played my way out of the tournament. I was in good shape until those last four, I hung in there.”
Ian Poulter (72-221): “I played awesome today. I went out there and done the job I wanted to do but unfortunately only converted two birdie putts. I only missed two greens today. Couple of missed fairways, took my punishment and chipped it out to a decent number, hit a good third in to eight or ten feet and missed those. Unfortunately made four bogeys. Hit a nice shot to the last and made birdie. I think the course is playing pretty good today and I think someone could go out there and shoot a score.”
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy on top but not getting ahead of himself at US PGA Championship
The Northern Irishman carded seven birdies and two bogeys in an opening 65 to record his lowest round in a major since the 2011 US Open.
-
News
UPS delivers a sponsorship setback to Lee Westwood
The company has ended its deal in an apparent response to Westwood’s involvement with a series of Saudi-backed events.
-
PGA Championship
Tyrell Hatton shares slow play fears as US PGA begins at Southern Hills
This week’s course layout in Tulsa looks set to exacerbate the issue.
-
PGA Championship
‘Recharged’ Shane Lowry excited for week ahead at US PGA Championship
Lowry has finished no worse than 35th in his nine starts this season.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth relishing playing alongside Tiger Woods in career grand slam bid
Spieth has had five attempts to complete the grand slam since adding the 2017 Open title to the Masters and US Open he won in 2015.
-
News
‘He has his opinion, I have mine’ – Tiger Woods on Phil Mickelson controversy
Woods said Mickelson’s comments about the PGA Tour have been “polarising”.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy hoping relaxed approach pays dividends at US PGA Championship
McIlroy did his research via videos posted online before travelling to Oklahoma on Monday.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods believes he can scale another mountain and win US PGA Championship
The 46-year-old finished 47th in the year’s first major, his first top-level event since suffering severe leg injuries.
-
News
Rory McIlroy was pretty sure Saudi-backed breakaway would not happen
The Northern Irishman is waiting to see how it plays out.
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg