FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, September 29th, 2018

NOTABLE QUOTES: RYDER CUP, DAY 2 (MORNING FOURBALLS) *EUROPE LEADS 8-4*

NBC Sports Notable Quotes

Ryder Cup – Day 2 (Morning Fourballs)

Le Golf National (Albatross Course), Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France

Saturday, Sept. 29

 

*Live coverage of Day 2 at the Ryder Cup continues now on NBC with the afternoon foursomes session (matches listed below).*

 

Saturday Morning Fourball Matches (*Europe leads 8-4*)

Match #1         S. Garcia/R. McIlroy (EUR) def. T. Finau/B. Koepka (U.S.) 2&1

Match #2         P. Casey/T. Hatton (EUR) def. R. Fowler/D. Johnson (U.S.) 3&2

Match #3         T. Fleetwood/F. Molinari (EUR) def. P. Reed/T. Woods (U.S.) 4&3

Match #4         J. Spieth/J. Thomas (U.S.) def. I. Poulter/J. Rahm (EUR) 2&1

 

Saturday Afternoon Foursomes Matches (All Times Eastern)

Match #1         1:50 p.m.         D. Johnson/B. Koepka (U.S.) vs. J. Rose/H. Stenson (EUR)

Match #2         2:05 p.m.        W. Simpson/B. Watson (U.S.) vs. S. Garcia/A. Noren (EUR)

Match #3         2:20 p.m.        B. DeChambeau/T. Woods (U.S.) vs. T. Fleetwood/F. Molinari (EUR)

Match #4         2:35 p.m.        J. Spieth/J. Thomas (U.S) vs. R. McIlroy/I. Poulter (EUR)

 

On Saturday morning’s fourball matches

Johnny Miller – “If the U.S. doesn’t win this session this afternoon, it’s almost a done deal for Europe, especially playing at home.”

Miller – “Europe just keeps rolling out these terrific Ryder Cup players that can do it. This afternoon needs a minor miracle for the U.S.”

Justin Leonard – “The clinic is continuing for this European side. They’re relentless.”

 

Sergio Garcia/Rory McIlroy speaking with NBC Sports’ Steve Sands following their 2&1 win

Sergio Garcia – “I think we played really, really well. We gelled extremely well.. And that’s what you need in fourballs. I always enjoy playing with Rory. He knows that, he’s a good friend. And today wasn’t any different.”

Rory McIlroy – “Personally for me I didn’t have my best stuff out there again this morning. But any time I didn’t hit a great shot, Sergio was always on my shoulder with encouragement… And his passion and his fire for the Ryder Cup is second to none and it’s pretty infectious. We had a great time out there.”

 

Paul Casey/Tyrrell Hatton speaking with NBC Sports’ Jimmy Roberts following their 3&2 win

Paul Casey – “I feel over the moon. Knowing how good this European team was going to be, I desperately wanted to be a part of it. I’ve missed it. Once you taste the Ryder Cup, there’s nothing else like it… It’s emotional, it feels great.”

Tyrrell Hatton – “Playing in this atmosphere is unbelievable and certainly you’ll never forget playing in a Ryder Cup. This is a very special moment for me, and my family as well… What a way to start the day.”

 

Tommy Fleetwood/Francesco Molinari speaking with Sands following their 4&3 win

Tommy Fleetwood – “I think we know there’s a job to be done… It’s just incredible the feelings and highs and lows you go through. It’s not 14 ½ on there yet. And I know all the team, we’ve come here to do a job and that’s what we’re here to do.”

Francesco Molinari – “Obviously we were super happy yesterday, but after a little bit of celebration the message from everyone on the team was that we need to keep pushing. It’s the same after this morning… Our match wasn’t easy at all. We started well then they came back at us.”

 

Jordan Spieth/Justin Thomas speaking with Sands following their 2&1 win

Jordan Spieth – “All that [Justin] and I can do is go out and worry about our own point. We’ve done a great job of not really looking at boards… Obviously as a team to gain momentum back, getting this closer than four points by the end of the day would be the goal. And we know that if it’s four or less, it’s been done before on Sunday.”

Justin Thomas – “We did a great job yesterday morning and today of ham and egging it well… We knew how big this point was, and we’re not even halfway done with this golf tournament yet. So this was a big point and hopefully it will get it turned around for us.”

 

On Thomas

Miller – “Justin Thomas might be the next Ian Poulter type of guy. He could be a terrific Ryder Cup player as a rookie.”

 

*Media also can access notable quotes via @GolfChannelPR on Twitter or by visiting www.nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com*

 

-NBC Sports Group-