FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, February 25th, 2017

NBC SPORTS GROUP NOTABLE QUOTES – THE HONDA CLASSIC (THIRD ROUND)

NBC Sports Group Notable Quotes
The Honda Classic
Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 (Third Round)
PGA National Resort & Spa (Champion Course)
Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

**Final Round coverage of The Honda Classic begins Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, and continues at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.**

Rickie Fowler (13-under, leader) speaking with NBC Sports’ Steve Sands following his round
Rickie Fowler – “You’ve got to hit the ball in the fairway on this golf course. It does lend some birdies out there for sure, but it’s still a fine line. You can still make just as many mistakes [in calm conditions] as you do in the wind. That’s why it’s a great golf course. It keeps you on your toes and moving forward for sure.”

On anticipated windy conditions for Sunday’s final round
Fowler – “I enjoy playing in the wind. I feel like you [can] use it to your advantage and use it as a wall in certain areas. It becomes fun just trying to picture the shot and match it up.” 

On Fowler
Gary Koch – “At 28 years of age, I think Rickie is starting to mature in how he approaches the game and plays it. This week he’s made just three bogeys. The last time he played (in Phoenix), he
only made two bogeys for the entire 72 holes. So we’re seeing a different approach to the game. Not quite as aggressive when it calls to be a little more conservative.”
Johnny Miller – “I think Fowler really needs this win. He knows he’s the best player at the top of that leaderboard. He’s got a chance to be a great player, and right now he’s a ‘wannabe’ a bit in that regard with just three wins. [A] win tomorrow could set him off to a great year.”
Koch – “He leads the PGA TOUR in the scrambling stat. He missed seven greens today in regulation and he was able to get the ball up-and-down all seven times. I think he’s going to be very tough to beat, especially if his short game continues the way it is right now.”
Miller – “He’s got charisma. Dustin Johnson is unflappable, and [Jason] Dufner seems to be that way, but Rickie is probably the most likable guy on the Tour.”
David Feherty – “Rickie’s attitude endears him to so many. He may have the best attitude of any player I’ve seen certainly in the last 10-15 years. He’s always in a good mood and never gets down on himself.”

On Wesley Bryan (7-under, T-3rd)
Peter Jacobsen – “The first two days he was playing a lot of creative shots, hitting cuts and fades. That’s what he needs to do. He’s a pretty happy-go-lucky young man with a lot of talent. One thing he can’t do is get sucked into the competition here and the pressure. Just maintain your composure and keep hitting fun golf shots.”

On Ryan Palmer (6-under, T-8th)
Miller – “When you come in missing the last four cuts [prior to last week] then go to having a chance to become the champion for the week, that’s got to be a shock to the system in a way.”

-NBC Sports Group-