Lipouts
What they were saying Tuesday at Bethpage Black
Harrington is motivated by the feedback he gets from the fans in New York.
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- Much has made of the enthusiastic, and yes, sometimes boisterous crowds that attended the 2002 U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park. In the aftermath of 9/11, many needed an outlet and something to cheer for. Some were simply die-hard golf fans, and many were regulars at Bethpage who knew every blade of grass on the challenging Black Course and weren't shy about offering opinions and advice.
Well, the U.S. Open is back, and so are the fans.
Here's what players said about them Tuesday and what they expect during the week:
"I've never played in front of an atmosphere that loud for all 18 holes. After what transpired here in September, I just think that everyone was looking to celebrate something else. That's one of the reasons why people get into the playoffs in baseball and basketball, anything to kind of escape it."
"And as far as just the overall atmosphere, I've never seen anything like it. I don't think we ever will, given circumstances surrounding the event." -- Tiger Woods
"I thought they were fantastic. I really had a great time in 2002. Obviously I played well, and that might help me have a great time. I generally have played well in boisterous crowds. I like the idea. The more noise around the golf course, the better for me.
"It adds a buzz to the event when there's an ambient noise reverberating around the golf course, cheers and everything like that. It just makes it more exciting. And it's nice to play in that atmosphere." -- Padraig Harrington
"You definitely know how they're feeling and they let you know if they like you and they let you know if they don't like you. And that's probably a good thing. You know where you stand with them.
"If you give them something back, they really appreciate it. The practice rounds are very long and they take a long time, but it's quite -- it's entertaining between green and tee and standing on the tees and stuff. It's good fun." -- Geoff Ogilvy
"I'm excited. I know the gallery will be more rowdy than most events. And I've heard nothing but good things about if you play well, they'll be on your side and they can sure boo you out there. Hopefully I'll be on the right side of that." -- Anthony Kim
"I'm really looking forward to it. New Yorkers are very passionate. And the only thing I can say is I've been very fortunate to do very well here in this area. I love New York. I love the people around here. And I'm just looking forward to see where I can go this week." -- Sergio Garcia
"They say whatever they feel. And they don't care who's listening. That's I like about it." -- Rocco Mediate
Chip shots ...
"It was just a comfort thing more than anything. So the unfortunate thing was that I didn't have any time to -- as soon as I had like two or three weeks off, just before the British Open, that's when I was able to fix it because it took time to work on it." -- Sergio Garcia, who was verbally abused by the fans in 2002 for constantly re-gripping his club before hitting
"I'm not big on celebrity. I don't like that word. I'm an athlete. I'm a golfer. I'm happy with that word. And I'm happy to set an example with work ethic and hopefully how I behave on the golf course and off the golf course." -- Paul Casey, on what it means to be the third-ranked player in the world
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