Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the PGA Championship from Atlanta Athletic Club, Atlanta, GA – Round One – Thursday, August 11, 2011
TNT’s Round Two coverage of the PGA Championship continues Fri., August 12 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. ET.
Quote of the Day:
Peter Kostis on TNT’s live first round coverage of the PGA Championship on Mcllroy attempting a tough shot, 176 yards out and inches from a (tree) root:
“He has a very steep angle of descent in his golf swing, he really loads that shaft and leans it forward. If he catches that root incorrectly, we could be looking at injury. He has to be really, really careful.”
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert and Jim Huber joined by Verne Lundquist, David Feherty and Peter Kostis
Baker-Finch on the Atlanta Athletic Club: “This may be the best conditioned southern golf course I have ever seen. Just the whole look of the golf course is wonderful. “
Baker-Finch on what players the course favors: “All majors favor the guys that come in with good form. The guys that hit their drive a long way, obviously being long and straight is always a big advantage. It is going to be long. Anything under par will be a great score at the end of this week.”
Feherty on the Atlanta Athletic Club: “This is going to be the type of golf course where no lead is safe. If someone can put together four runs and get it under par they have an advantage.”
TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Phil Mickelson (+1) following his first round:
Mickelson on his first round: “It is not where I want it to be. I played well. I had a hiccup on the first hole where I spotted the field two shots and I can’t afford to do that. I fought hard the rest of the round to stay in it. I’m playing well enough where I can get in a good round tomorrow.”
Mickelson on the difficult course at the Atlanta Athletic Club: “It is a long hard golf course and I think it is a great site for this tournament because there are some really hard holes that are leading to big numbers and there are some birdie holes that you can capitalize on. That mixture is going to bring the best players to the top.”
Baker Finch on Steve Williams’ comments to the media after Adam Scott’s win at the Bridgestone Invitational: “I must first say I know him very well. I’ve known him for 30 years. He was my caddie before he went to Greg Norman and then on to Tiger (Woods). He is a man of high character. He certainly didn’t mean anything by his comments, especially not to his peers or other players. It was an emotional outburst that I’m sure he his sorry about. He didn’t request anyone to come speak to him. It is rare, as you know, that a caddie has a chance to speak to the media. It was just a very special time. I think Adam has dealt with it very well.”
Baker-Finch on the situation between Williams and Woods being over and done with: “I think so, I really do. I think what happens with Steve and Tiger is their business. We all wish Steve well with Adam Scott on-going. I think Steve will be back to his normal self as he was until the last couple of years. He dealt with a lot the last couple of years.”
TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Steve Stricker (-7) following his first round:
Stricker on his expectations for the First Round: “I really had no expectations coming into today’s round. I really hadn’t played or made too many birdies in the practice rounds so I didn’t know what to expect but it got off to a good start and kind of got me going.”
Stricker on making a historic putt on the 9th hole: “I realized it was for 62 but I didn’t realize it was for history. I was just trying to make the putt, trying to shoot 8 under. All in all it was a good day.”
Stricker on his game for the rest of the tournament: “Just go out and do the same thing and try to hit it in the fairway. That was my goal today, just to get it in the fairway. It is very difficult to get it in play from the bunkers or the rough. You just have to get it in play.”
Kostis on Mcllroy making a tough shot, 176 yards out and two or three inches from a (tree) root: “He has a very steep angle of descent in his golf swing, he really loads that shaft and leans it forward. If he catches that root incorrectly, we could be looking at injury. He has to be really, really careful.”
Shortly after, Mcllroy injures his wrist.
Baker-Finch on Mcllroy injuring his wrist: “It is interesting to me that he doesn’t have one of those physios (trainers) to give him advice telling him to give it up. But it is so hard to give it up. Another thing is icing an injury like that and working it is not a good thing. An injury like that needs about 10-15 minutes. He’s sort of icing it, working it, icing it and working it.”
Feherty on suffering a similar injury as Mcllroy: “My left arm was very seriously injured a number of years ago. That’s not a muscular or tendon thing going all the way up, its nerves. That is a jarring injury.”
Kostis on Jason Day: “Jason has had an impressive season. He has been looking very comfortable at the top of tournament list. His actual way of playing is aggressive but he seems to be judging when that is appropriate now.”
Baker-Finch on what he expected from Mcllroy’s shot that led to his wrist injury: “I was hoping he was taking a 7 iron to clip thin, like a long bunker shot and punch out under the tree. Then he made a full wrist cock and went down deep straight into the root.”
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At The Turn presented by ING
Johnson, Baker-Finch
Baker-Finch on Rory Mcllroy’s amazing comeback after suffering an injured wrist: “Amazing, we had him heading back to the clubhouse but he’s going birdie, birdie and is heading for another.”
Baker-Finch on Tiger’s performance taking a drastic turn during the first-round: “That was shocking to me, seeing Tiger (Woods) start so well. We thought it would build his confidence but a double-bogey on 15 and it all came unraveled.”
Baker-Finch on Mcllroy’s managing his pain: “The reaction to the pain was a little less the last couple of shots. He’s had some Advil that should help him. Don’t go too deep on any iron shots coming up over the next few holes. He should be able to finish it out and if it doesn’t hurt too much maybe he shoots a low number and he will be really proud that he decided to go on.”
Baker-Finch on the course so far: “I’ve learned that if you do play well, low numbers are out there. The greens are in wonderful condition and the guys are starting to figure out the speed.”
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