US OPEN – DAY THREE QUOTES

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June 17, 2007

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.”