Once again, TNT churns out the quotage from its second round coverage of the Open Championship in less than an hour from its signing off. Very nice.
Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the Open Championship from the Ailsa Course at Turnberry in Scotland
Round Two – Friday, July 17, 2009
TNT’s Round Three coverage of the Open Championship continues Sat., July 18 from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. ET. Watch live video coverage on PGA.com
Quote of the Day:
“That has to be one of the best moments in Championship history. One of the greatest tournaments in history was in 1977, 32 years ago when Watson and (Jack) Nicklaus battled it out (at Turnberry)”
– Former British Open Champion Ian Baker-Finch on Tom Watson’s birdie on his final hole of the day:
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Ian Baker-Finch, Bill Kratzert, Jim Huber, Terry Gannon, Tom Weiskopf, Paul Azinger, Peter Alliss, Mike Tirico, Curtis Strange and Judy Rankin
Baker-Finch on Nick Faldo’s ball rolling into the bunker at Hole #17: “That’s how bunkers should be. I’m really disappointed with the way the trend has become in Australia and the (United) States now where most fairway bunkers are in the rough, you don’t ever see that in the States anymore; a ball actually rolling into a bunker.”
Jim Huber interviewed Retief Goosen (-3) following the second round
Goosen on his play in the Open Championship: “I feel like I’ve been playing a lot better in the past six or seven months. If I can keep the putter going this weekend, then who knows.”
Baker-Finch on the key holes at Turnberry: “Those first ten or eleven holes today will be a real test of character and ability.”
Chief Executive of the R & A Peter Dawson joined Ernie Johnson and Ian Baker-Finch
Dawson on the Open Championship returning to Turnberry: “Turnberry is such a scenic venue. It’s a favorite among the players; they love the golf course, they love the hotel. It’s just a stunning location; the most beautiful place in golf. We are delighted to be back, it’s been too long.”
Dawson on Tom Watson doing well in the first round: “Tom is an adopted Brit. He’s won five of our Championships and the British golfing public love Tom Watson. He’s one of our favorites. I hope he keeps it together today.”
Dawson on golf becoming part of the Olympics: “There are seven sports biding for two spots in the Olympic Games for 2016. We’ve presented golf as best we can. All of the tours around the world are in support. The governing bodies are in support and the top players support both the men’s and women’s game. I’m very hopeful golf will succeed, but there are no guarantees.”
Johnson on John Daly’s colorful pants: “I wonder if you get an air sickness bag with that pair of pants.”
Alliss on Japanese teen phenom Ryo Ishikawa handling the media circus surrounding his first round: “I thought he did remarkably well (dealing with the media). T
he younger players play so much golf when they are of a high caliber and come from a country where golf is big stuff. They get used to traveling and going to other countries, experiencing other food and going through the customs. They get mature very quickly.”Baker-Finch on the conditions at Turnberry: “At sea level the wind plays more of a factor because it’s a heavy wind. It was only 50 degrees when we came out here this morning and they sky was dull. It has brightened up a bit and I still think 70 to 72 is a good score.”
Baker-Finch on the Japanese photographers following Ryo Ishikawa possibly following the lower scoring Kenichi Kuboya: “Maybe some of those photographers will leave (Ryo) Ishikawa and come over and watch (Kenichi) Kuboya.”
Baker-Finch on Steve Marino’s bright future: “(Steve Marino) a birdie machine; one of the good, young players. Really, really good talent. He has only been on tour for a couple of years, but I think he will be a prolific winner. “
Curtis on Ryo Ishikawa’s youth: “(Ryo Ishikawa) is very, very talented, but very, very young at only 17 (years old). He has a lot of good years ahead of him.”
Azinger on how the weather is affecting the second round of the Open: “Some of these holes are playing four club differences compared to yesterday.”
TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Mark Calcavecchia (-4) following the second round
Calcavecchia on his performance on Day #2: “I’m happy with my score. I’ve been playing good, so it’s fun. This occasion brings out my best.”
Azinger on the crowd helping Tiger Woods find his golf ball: “There isn’t another player in the field who is afforded the luxury of 100 people looking for his golf ball.”
Baker-Finch on Tom Watson: “He is so good in the wind. He is confident in the way he’s striking the ball.”
TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed Kenny Perry (+3) earlier in the week
Perry on playing while his mom is suffering from cancer: “If you dwell on it, it gets tough. You’ve got to live and keep moving in this world.”
Rankin on Sergio Garcia’s second round: “(Sergio Garcia’s) humor has been good all day. He’s had a smile on his face and enjoyed the day. He’s picked himself up from a couple bad things.”
Johnson on Wood’s performance: “This is so unexpected. Based on what we heard from players and others who had seen him in the practice rounds. The zone that he was in, they said to watch out.”
TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed tournament leader Tom Watson (-5) following his second round
Watson on leading the Open Championship after two rounds: “I made two no-brainers there, ‘field goals’ as my dad called them. Something is on my side right now and things are happening my way.”
Watson on his made long putt on the 9th green: “That (putt) turned me around. Lady Turnberry had her gloves off and I hadn’t put in a good counter-punch until then.”
Watson on his second round: “It was a special day. I don’t have many years left to play in the Open Championship but I’ve had some wonderful memories and maybe I can make one more memory here.”
Watson on if he thinks he can win the 2009 Open Championship: “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could.”
TNT’s Jim Huber interviewed co-leader Steve Marino (-5) following the second round
Marino on the change in conditions from Day One to Day Two: “Yesterday was absolutely perfect for scoring and today was a total grind out there. The wind was totally opposite from yesterday. It was
cold and there were bouts of rain every now and then. It was very, very difficult.”Marino on if he had any expectations playing in his first Open Championship: “To be honest, I didn’t have any expectations. I wanted to come over here and enjoy myself, enjoy the experience and do the best I could.”
I wonder if I’ll quotage during the weekend. We shall see.
