FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 30th, 2016

NOTABLE QUOTES: RYDER CUP – DAY 1 (AFTERNOON FOUR-BALL SESSION)

Golf Channel Notable Quotes
Ryder Cup – Day 1 (Afternoon Four-ball Matches)
Friday, Sept. 30, 2016
Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minn.

**Day 2 coverage of the 2016 Ryder Cup begins at 9 a.m. ET Saturday on NBC, with live coverage of the morning foursomes matches. The United States lead Europe (5-3) following Day 1.**

Friday Afternoon Four-Ball Match Results
Match #1: Justin Rose / Henrik Stenson (EUR) def. Patrick Reed / Jordan Spieth (U.S.) 5&4
Match #2: Sergio Garcia / Rafa Cabrera Bello (EUR) def. J.B. Holmes / Ryan Moore (U.S.) 3&2
Match #3: Brandt Snedeker / Brooks Koepka (U.S.) def. Martin Kaymer / Danny Willett (EUR) 5&4
Match #4: Rory McIlroy / Thomas Pieters (EUR) def. Dustin Johnson / Matt Kuchar (U.S.) 3&2

On the European charge in the afternoon four-ball matches
Johnny Miller – “This morning the gallery was such a force for the U.S. side. They were just rocking and making so much noise and screaming and yelling. And now the Euros have taken them out of it.”
Gary Koch – “I think each captain looks at it differently. I think Davis Love looks at it as ‘We’re ahead after two sessions, that’s where we wanted to be.’ And I think Darren Clarke can tell his players, ‘Hey, we were swept in this first session and now we’re only down two points.’ I would think the Europeans come out of this feeling like they have some momentum going into tomorrow.”
Miller – “The bottom line is that captain Love should be thrilled. 5-3 is darn good against Europe with their fab five that they have. They do have the six rookies but they can sort of hide those guys in the team play. So all-in-all it’s a great day for the United States.”
Mark Rolfing – “When you look at tomorrow and the dynamic of Europe not sending out a couple of their rookies at all today, I think Darren Clarke is going to have some tough decisions. Because as well as Pieters and McIlroy have played, I’m not sure you’re going to break that team up. And obviously you’ve got to send out Stenson and Rose again.”

Justin Rose & Henrik Stenson speaking with Golf Channel’s Jimmy Roberts on their 5&4 win
Justin Rose – “We played great this morning. I felt like that was a match we could have been a lot more competitive in. We didn’t really put a foot wrong tee-to-green but we just didn’t make any putts this morning… Anyway, this afternoon, brilliant. We obviously got running and dovetailed really well.”
Henrik Stenson – “It’s one thing if you lose if you’re playing badly. But we were both pretty happy with our performance in the morning. We missed a couple putts and that’s why we lost. We were just going to go out [this afternoon] and try and carry on even better and we did that. And we got the point back. It makes it sweeter when you beat the guys you lost to in the morning though. That’s for sure.”

On Rose / Stenson def. Spieth / Reed
David Feherty – “[Stenson] has looked invincible this afternoon like a Norse god who should be carrying a big hammer.”
Miller – “I thought Spieth and Reed figured in their own hearts that they were invincible. This is bringing them back down to earth.”

Brandt Snedeker & Brooks Koepka speaking with Golf Channel’s Steve Sands on their 5&4 win
Brandt Snedeker – “Everybody has their role and their job on this team. My job is to come out and make putts and just let Brooks do what he does. And Brooks played fantastic. It was an awesome win for us today. We needed it.”
Brooks Koepka – “[The Ryder Cup is] nothing like anything else. That first tee shot was unbelievable. But there’s nothing like the Ryder Cup.”

Rory McIlroy & Thomas Pieters speaking with Sands following their 3&2 win
Rory McIlroy – “This is definitely a little more hostile than Medinah, but I just want to let people know how much it means to us. [Thomas] was absolutely incredible all day. It’s his first Ryder Cup and he played so well. So a lot of credit has to go to Thomas as well.”
Thomas Pieters – “It was just nice to actually get a round under my belt [this morning]. Obviously this morning was not what we wanted but I think we redeemed ourselves pretty well this afternoon. And I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow.”

On McIlroy
Rolfing – “It was barely a decade ago – not even –  when Rory sort of dissed the Ryder Cup and said it was nothing more than an exhibition. And now he has totally turned 180 and become the leader of this team.”
Peter Jacobsen – “That change a couple of weeks ago with the putter… He is kind of like the old Rory McIlroy on the greens. Combine that with his length, his strength and his accuracy, and this guy is back.”

Sergio Garcia & Rafa Cabrera-Bello speaking with Roberts on their 3&2 win
Sergio Garcia – “This is very special for us, and to play with [Rafa]. He was a rock out there and he gave me so much confidence to go for shots and to go for putts.”
Rafa Cabrera-Bello – “I’ve been practicing with Sergio and learning from his game throughout the entire year. We’ve been longtime friends. For me, having my Ryder Cup debut with a good friend and a countryman was extremely special… Most importantly Europe got the point.”

On Ryan Moore
Jacobsen – “This kid is cool and collected. He’s just coming into it right now. He’s over the Ryder Cup pressure and ready to get back to Ryan Moore golf.”

United States captain Davis Love III speaking with Sands following the afternoon four-ball matches
Davis Love III – “It was a long day. It’s frustrating not to come out a little bit more ahead, but I know Darren [Clarke] is happy with the momentum… I thought we came out and competed real well. Even the guys that were kind of run over, buzz-sawed, still hung in there and kept making birdies and got these guys as far as they could.”

European captain Darren Clarke speaking with Roberts following the four-ball matches
Darren Clarke – “Historically Europe probably have been stronger in the foursomes and America have always been stronger in the four-balls. And that was completely turned on its head. The guys were disappointed with the way they played this morning, the way they performed. But they showed tremendous bravery and heart and desire to go out and play the way they’ve done this afternoon. As a captain I’m certainly proud of them.”

-NBC Sports Group-