“When you witness greatness close up like that, you want to talk about it. … Everybody has watched Tiger, but no one has ever talked about it who has watched him up close. Everyone has speculation of things, but they are really just guessing. I’m not guessing because I was there.” – Hank Haney, on his decision to write a book chronicling his time coaching Tiger Woods from 2004-10. “The Big Miss” was co-written by Golf Digest’s Jaime Diaz.
“I think it’s unprofessional and very disappointing, especially because it’s someone I worked with and trusted as a friend.” – Tiger Woods, on his distaste for Haney’s decision to write the book.
“I don’t know whether he’s going to continue to beat the guys. While he has been gone for, what, say 2 1/2 years, whether these guys who have all now learned how to play, all learned how to win, they’re probably no longer afraid of Tiger.” – Jack Nicklaus, on Woods’ waning intimidation factor.
“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.” – Rory McIlroy, remembering what his father has always said to him, after being asked if he thought all of his success has come at an early age.
“A lot of you guys have aged a lot.” – Retief Goosen, joking to the media center crowd on his absence from the podium – and the top of the leaderboard – for quite some time. Goosen shared the 54-hole lead at the Transitions Championship but ultimately finished T-20, after a 4-over 75 in the final round.
“I felt at home in India because there’s a lot of pigs in the street.” – John Daly, comparing playing in India to his Arkansas roots.
“It’s the reality. I’m not good enough, and now I know it. I have tried for 13 years, thinking I can win. I don’t know what happens to me. I’m not good enough for the majors. That’s it. You can live without a major.” – Sergio Garcia, after his third-round collapse at the Masters took him out of contention at yet another major championship.
“I thought he acted like the south end of a northbound mule.” – Paul Azinger, on Woods throwing and kicking his club at the Masters.
“My dad always said, ‘Beware of the guy who comes out on the first tee, and he’s got a terrible grip and a terrible golf swing. If he’s in that tournament with you, there’s a good chance he knows how to play with that type of golf swing,’ and Bubba’s that type of person.” – Tom Watson, on Bubba Watson’s golf game.
“They won’t want to see us after today. I think our combined clubhead speed will be about Bubba Watson’s speed.” – Nicklaus, on the gallery’s opinion after watching Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino and himself play in an exhibition in Texas.
“We hear guys talking about needing swing coaches, sports psychologists, fitness instructors or changing managers. He needs an exorcist. I half expect winged bulls to fly out of his head when he is standing over a shot.” – Brandel Chamblee, talking about Kevin Na’s pre-shot troubles.
“The real bottom line is for me, (Woods) just doesn’t have the self-belief, the self-confidence that he obviously had, the Tiger of old, simple as that.” – Nick Faldo, chiming in on what he feels is part of Woods’ struggles.
“Simply, he needs to fire Sean (Foley), call Butch (Harmon).” – Chamblee, again, offering his opinion on what he thinks Woods should be doing at this point in his career.
“I find it interesting since they’re not in my head. They must have some kind of superpowers I don’t know about.” – Woods, responding to Chamblee and Faldo’s comments on the state of his game.
“I have known 95 of these people when they were living. I’ve written stories about 73 of them. I’ve had cocktails and drinks with 47 of them, and I played golf with 24 of them. So I want somebody else to try and go up against that record.” – Dan Jenkins, during his induction speech into the World Golf Hall of Fame, talking about his fellow members of the Hall.
