WORDS WITH … THE BIG THREE
Q: As a golf-course architect, what you would do with the 17th hole now that the Eisenhower tree is gone?
Arnold Palmer: Well, I think I would probably put a tree right back where the tree was and try to get it about as similar as it was when it was taken out.
Jack Nicklaus: Well, I look at the area, it does look a little naked. … I personally think that the hole needs definition a little further up, not back. … I think it's best to probably just keep my nose out of it, until I'm asked.
Gary Player: You are being asked.
Nicklaus: I wasn't being asked by who really wants to ask me (laughter).
Player: I think there's never been a tree that's been so significant in golf. Personally, I am anti trees in the middle of fairways or on fairways, same as I'm against bunkers in the middle of fairways. There's enough trouble, golf is a very tough game, particularly for members who don't hit many fairways. I think the tree, as much respect as I had for the name attached to the tree, I think it's best that the tree does not be put back.
WORDS WITH … CHAMPIONS TOUR STARS
Q: Does a 50-year-old really have a legitimate chance out here for four rounds?
Mark O'Meara, who shot 75: Well, that's a tough question. Probably I don't think it's ever out of the question because I don't think the golf ball, in fairness, knows how old you are. … But we saw (Tom) Watson, I play with him, and God, he hits the ball as good now as he did when he was in his prime, almost. Maybe a club shorter, but really hits the ball well."
Ben Crenshaw, who shot 83: It would have to be the Freddie (Couples) type, length and height. Sandy (Lyle) has got height, too. But at this point probably Freddie has a little better touch, so to speak, not to belittle Sandy at all, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Fred Couples, who shot 71: I think so. I'm one of them. I mean, Sandy Lyle was up on the board, Bernhard Langer and I both last year played really, really well. It's hard. I will say that. It's hard for me personally to play a course this hard day after day after day after day for four solid rounds.
Miguel Angel-Jimenez, who shot 71, including 32 on the front nine: It's hard for anyone. There are a lot of young guys that can hit the ball a long ways. I don't hit the ball that far, but I hit it, and it goes straight to the flag, you know. It's nice to see that I'm being competitive with all the guys.
WORDS ABOUT … FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS
Q: Any jitters on that opening tee shot?
Kevin Stadler, who shot 70: It was cold. I hit a pretty poor tee shot. It went in the fairway, but I was happy to get it under way. A little bit nervous on the tee, but that's got to be expected, I would say. … (The first tee shot was) in the fairway, just not very far.
Defending champ Adam Scott, talking about U.S. Amateur champ Matthew Fitzpatrick, who shot 76: Yeah, I think he played really well. Obviously it was a nervous start, and I stood there and watched and thought, that's what I looked like many times playing the first hole at the Masters. But he did hole a great putt for double bogey and that's exactly what I said to him. I said, "Great putt, get going now." And he calmed down and he birdied the next and he played fine. It was really great to watch him play. He swings so freely; it's nice. He's going to develop into a really good player, I think. He's got the credentials.
Garrick Porteous, British Amateur champ, who shot 76 and will turn pro after this event: I had a slow start (with three consecutive bogeys). The back nine was better than the front. It was a lot of fun. I think after the birdie on No. 4 (is when I got my bearings). I got into a rhythm on the back nine.
Michael McCoy, U.S. Mid-Amateur champ, who shot 78: The first hole I kind of had a blackout. I think maybe a little nerves. I misplayed the putt, but probably there was a lot going on in my head, but I made a couple really nice putts to save par and made a couple nice putts for birdie. They say the course changes from Wednesday to Thursday, and it did.
Oliver Goss, U.S. Amateur runner-up, who shot 76: I felt quite comfortable out there after the first hole. I was fine. And I got a little nervous a couple of times because of the big crowd. But it felt amazing to be out there.
Chris Kirk, former UGA golfer, who shot 75: I was definitely a little bit nervous. It actually felt good. It's been a long time since I've been nervous on the first tee, so it was nice. I hit a great one. It was a really good one right down the middle. There's no point on this golf course where you can breathe a sigh of relief, but I was happy to hit a good one.
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