FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, September 25th, 2021
NOTES AND QUOTES – THE 43RD RYDER CUP ON NBC (DAY 2)
“They’re in a great spot and they’ve earned it.” – Paul Azinger on 11-5 lead for the U.S. heading into singles play
“We may well be talking about one of the greatest – if not the greatest – Ryder Cup teams ever assembled.” – Brandel Chamblee on the U.S. team
“If that doesn’t go in, Europe’s got no shot tomorrow. Moment of a lifetime for Shane Lowry.” – Paul Azinger on Lowry’s match-winning putt on 18
STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 25, 2021 – NBC Sports presented exclusive coverage of Day 2 of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits Golf Club in Kohler, Wis., on NBC, as well as Live From The Ryder Cup post-round coverage on GOLF Channel. The United States leads Europe 11-5 after Day 2 foursomes and four-ball matches.
Day 1 of the 43rd Ryder Cup delivered GOLF Channel’s most-watched weekday telecast on record, averaging a Total Audience Delivery of approximately 1.5 million viewers (8:30 a.m. – 6:56 p.m. ET), up 16% vs. the last domestic Ryder Cup Day 1 in 2016.
Tomorrow’s coverage begins at 9 a.m. ET on GOLF Channel with Live From The Ryder Cup, leading into Sunday singles matches coverage at noon ET on NBC. Sunday’s coverage will also feature the debut of the commercial-free “Marquee Hour in Partnership with Rolex,” beginning at approximately 2 p.m. ET following the start of the final singles match.
On Day 2
Paul Azinger on the U.S. lead: “This is a huge lead for the American team. They’re in a great spot and they’ve earned it. All of the pressure was on the U.S. squad coming in with the advantage in the World Golf Rankings and they’ve come through.”
Brandel Chamblee: “We may well be talking about this as one of the greatest – if not the greatest – Ryder Cup teams ever assembled.”
Justin Leonard: “American dominance…the only chance they had at the beginning of the week was for Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy to show up. Jon Rahm has, but Rory McIlroy has struggled.”
Rich Lerner: “The U.S. rookies have run roughshod over the Europeans and on a football Saturday, the Americans have a touchdown lead heading into Sunday.”
Day 2 coverage on NBC also included a live interview with Michael Jordan. Click here to watch the interview.
On the afternoon four-ball matches: American Team
Mike Tirico on Dustin Johnson who has gone 4-0-0: “A free-flowing DJ is dangerous DJ.”
Azinger on Jordan Spieth’s lip-out on 12: “That is one of the worst lip-outs you will ever see.”
Azinger on Tony Finau: “I ran into him last night and he was so excited to be here and so excited to get through that first match yesterday. He said the anxiety leading into it was pretty tough, but once the bell rang he was good to go.”
Azinger on Scheffler’s tying putt on the 15th hole: “I’ve never seen Scottie Scheffler react like this, ever. Only in the Ryder Cup.”
On the afternoon four-ball matches: European Team
Azinger on Shane Lowry after his match-winning putt on 18: “What a guttural reaction. That is just pouring his heart out…Padraig Harrington put his faith in Shane Lowry for this moment. He had to have it. If that doesn’t go in, Europe’s got no shot tomorrow. Moment of a lifetime for Shane Lowry.”
Azinger on Jon Rahm: “He has been a hero for the European side.”
Leonard on Rory McIlroy: “It’s hard to imagine a European comeback without Rory McIlroy involved in it. Obviously, (the morning foursomes) was the first session he’s ever sat out in a Ryder Cup. Hopefully it perturbs him a little bit, whether it was his choice or not.”
Dan Hicks following Jon Rahm’s long birdie putt on the 16th hole: “It just continues this great Spanish tradition in the Ryder Cup.”
Gary Koch: “Look at Sergio Garcia’s reaction! He’s going, ‘Are you kidding me? How lucky am I to have Jon Rahm as my partner?’”
John Wood on Shane Lowry taking an unplayable and opting to not hit his 2nd shot on the 17th hole: “I think Shane’s got a better shot of hitting that in Lake Michigan than he does of hitting it on the green.”
On the morning foursomes matches: American Team
Jim “Bones” Mackay on Sergio Garcia standing over Brooks Koepka’s disputed lie on 15th hole: “That’s the first time I’ve seen a player from another team stand over the other team’s golf ball.”
Michael Jordan with Steve Sands
Michael Jordan’s advice to the U.S. team: “I’m a little nervous…The letdown is what you really have to focus on. Keep focusing on each and every match…Hole by hole, shot by shot, and if we skip any shots…next thing you know, the script is flipped…The momentum is on our side, let’s keep it that way.”
Jordan on what makes the Ryder Cup unique: “It’s not about money, it’s about pride and representing your country. Very rarely do you see golfers deal with what we (basketball players) have to deal with – yells from the stands…It gets your juices up. As a competitor, I absolutely love it.”
–NBC SPORTS–
