David Duval:
"That was a spectacular display from Tiger. On all the holes
that he was under any pressure, he managed to capitalise. I couldn't afford
to make any mistakes but that's why these events are difficult to win and why
Tiger was unstoppable."
Tiger Woods,
when asked how he felt, replied: "Not too bad. It really is hard
to put into words the emotions and feelings going through me and the thoughts
that are running through my head. To have a chance to complete the slam at St
Andrews, where golf all started, makes it even more special.
"I was in a bunker every day I've been here, but that was on the practice
green.
"I've been working with Butch since I was 17 and we have spent countless
hours out there trying to become a better player. And I can't say enough
about Stevie (Williams, Woods' caddie), he's so positive out there he keeps
me upbeat.
"I've always said you would like to have your game peak at four different
times a year. To actually have it happen is a different story. So far, I've
had a wonderful young career and hopefully I can continue to have success."
On joining the Grand Slam club of Nicklaus, Hogan, Player, Sarazen, he said:
"Those are true champions - to be in the same breath as those guys makes it
very special. When David (Duval) and I finished out, I walked over to him and
said 'you're a true champion. I was a lot of fun competing against you and we
will have numerous battles in the future.'
"I won five times worldwide in 1997 and had a wonderful year, including
winning a major championship, but in 1998 I only won twice around the world.
It wasn't as good a year, but I was a better player and I started winning in
1999 and this year - winning is not always a barometer of improvement and
I've had my share of times where I knew I wasn't going to play well, but I
knew in the long run it was best for me.
"To win a major championship is a different thought process and understanding
of the game. But I'm surprised at some of the fortunate breaks I've gotten to
have a chance to win by the margins I've had. You need to have luck on your
side and if you get a bad bounce it turns the whole momentum of the round.
I've hit terrible shots this week, but I've got away with it."
On his father, "I'm just going to call him up and say, you know: 'what's up?
How are you doing? Are you feeling all right? And did you sleep through or
did you watch it?'."
Nick Faldo,one under,287,71 today.
"It was good.I had the usual struggle so it was good to chalk another one up for the record and getting under par again.It is the usual story,you hit as good a shot as you can and if you can get it inside,it seems like a thirty foot circle,it's a tough golf course to do even that.
"I have always played hard and you try to stay in the zone but I am trying to come in and out a little bit because people don't see what a madman I'm like off the golf course, so I am trying to bring a little bit of that on to the golf course,just to give them a bit of entertainment.
"Tiger's performance is more than wonderful because the guy is simply in a different league.It is fantastic for him and all credit to him. He has thrown all those old myths out of the window,that you can't physically train for golf, you can't be strong or you are going to lose your touch.
"All these fifteen year olds, they have to stop eating the doughnuts and get out there.They have an incredible opportunity now,if they can grasp all this knowledge and boy they have to go out and chase.If you are going to compete and beat Tiger you have to be out there doing as much if not more.
"I have been secretly studying Tiger.He has no idiosyncracies,he just gets on with the job,he just keeps ploughing on and has never come backwards at all.It is almost as though now guys will pick events to play in and play the Tigerless tour to have a chance to win."
Paul Azinger,eight under,208,67 today.
"I felt so dejected after the first round but it has been a long time since I hit the ball solid on all four days."
Tom Watson,one over,289,73 today.
"Tiger has raised the bar to a level that only he can jump.Someone is going to have to use some flubber in the bottom of their shoes to be able to jump over that bar.He is something super-natural and the young man is playing golf supernaturally.His direction is well documented,he wants to be the best player who has ever played the game.
His wall is covered with Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus's major records and that is what he has looked at all the time.I had dreams as a kid but he had dreams as a kid and he is starting to make those dreams come true.
"I enjoyed my week despite a few bad swings and quite a few misjudgments that were a problem for me.I always like playing St.Andrews and the wind was non existent. The bunkers are like silos and I don;t understand how the average player gets out of them."
