“We had a good time making snow angels and having all sorts of fun with the kids yesterday afternoon.” – 2013 WGC-Accenture Match Play champ Matt Kuchar talking about how his family took advantage of Wednesday’s wild weather.
“I’ve never actually played golf to the point where we’ve actually stopped for snow, which is kind of crazy. A little crazy for it to snow in the desert, as well. But that’s just how it is. Mother Nature can do whatever she wants.” – Third-place finisher Jason Day on the surprising snow delay in the desert.
“Deep down I knew I could beat him. I’m not here for no reason. I’m not here to make up the numbers. I was quite nervous starting off. I handed him a few holes early, but he handed me a few back later on in the round. And this is match play, and I got a few breaks where I needed them, and I’m just fortunate to win.” – No. 16 seed Shane Lowry after disposing of top seed and close friend Rory McIlroy.
“We both played well. We didn’t make a bogey in the group. He (Charles Howell III) made a couple more birdies than I did.” – Tiger Woods, one of the two top seeds sent packing after round one of the match play.
“It’s very dangerous like you say. I went through the same thing. I decided to switch and I switched everything. And I mean, I was like a fish out of water, I was gasping for air. So the minute I heard that he was going to switch everything, I’m thinking, ‘Wow, that’s a gamble.'” – Johnny Miller who, along with Nick Faldo, remains highly critical of McIlroy’s equipment changes.
“I do wish we had a long-term contract, yes, and I think we are all working toward something like that. I don’t know when we can get that done, but I think it’s 50-50 we can maybe have some sort of announcement, a positive announcement, before next year’s tournament. I really think there’s a chance we’ll have a long-term commitment, maybe not in the 10-year range, but I think five years would be a great goal from the perspective of all three parties. Accenture will wait until its time is right to negotiate and make an announcement.” – Brandt Hazen, president of the Tucson Conquistadores, sounding somewhat hopeful that the WGC-Accenture Match Play event will remain at Dove Mountain after the current contract expires in 2014.
”I think the essential thread that went through the thinking of the players . . . was that in the absence of data or any basis to conclude that there is a competitive advantage to be gained by using anchoring, and given the amount of time that anchoring has been in the game, that there is no overriding reason to go down that road.” – PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem challenging the USGA/R&A proposal to ban the anchored stroke.
“I know that they’re drafting up a letter to send to the U.S.G.A. and R&A to kind of voice our position as a tour. But after that we still don’t know where it’s going to lead us, and it’s going to be interesting. I can see the tour adopting the rule saying that it’s O.K. for players to use a long putter.” – Steve Stricker on PGA Tour players speaking out against the anchored stroke ban.
“I was really disappointed because I went onto the course hoping to win not for myself but for the whole country. A lot of people came to support me and wanted to see me win. But I didn’t make it. However, I was so happy that they still supported me even though I didn’t live up to their expectations.” – 17-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn who was leading the Thailand Open in her home country until a triple bogey on the final hole brought her to finish one shot behind winner Inbee Park.
