The Open: The best quotes after round two

From Rory’s reflections, Hatton’s dig and Spieth’s rough ride to Rose’s lucky caddie and Van Rooyen’s choice of trousers, these are the pick of Friday’s soundbites from The Open.

Tom Lehman paid an emotional tribute to his son, who was caddieing for him, after what is likely to be his last appearance at The Open. Tissues at the ready.
“I just said to him how much I loved him. There was nobody in the world I’d rather be walking down the fairway with right here than you. It means a lot to me you’re here by my side. This may be my last one, but maybe the next time I’ll be caddying for you.”

Rory McIlroy leaves Portrush with his head held high
“Unbelievably proud of how I handled myself today coming back after what was a very challenging day yesterday. And just full of gratitude towards every single one of the people that followed me to the very end and was willing me on. I felt like I gave a good account of myself today and I can leave here with my head held high. I will look back on this day with nothing but fond memories and fondness, positivity.”

Eddie Pepperell on ‘class act’ McIlroy
Fair play to Rory. Probably the most disappointing 65 you could ever shoot but boy, he has so much class

Shane Lowry is embracing his position as co-leader and local favourite.
“I’m gonna enjoy this because next week in Memphis there will be just 10 guys and a dog following me.”

Jordan Spieth’s tried to make light of hitting just 10 fairways from 28 attempts.
“At some point I hope to be playing off the short grass this week. I think I hit maybe two or three fairways today. I mean, I posted a score that was pretty incredible from where I played my second shots from.” 

Justin Rose reckons his caddie, Gareth Lord, is bringing him luck with the draw.
“Lordie is on the bag, he’s lucky. I’ve always not liked being on the wrong side of the draw. I feel like I’m in for ten years of good weather.”

Tiger says he needs a break after missing the cut at The Open.
“I just want some time off just to get away from it. I had a long trip to Thailand and then trying to get ready for this event, to play this event, it’s been a lot of travel, a lot of time in the air, a lot of moving around and different hotels and everything. I just want to go home.”

Expect to see some more of Erik Van Rooyen in his elasticated trousers…
“I like the fact that it’s a little bit different yet still classy at the same time. It’s not out there and whacky with a bunch of flashy colors and that kind of thing. But it is different and I like it.”

Byeong Hun An would sacrifice sleep for calm conditions on the golf course.
“It’s a little less sleep. But if I can play in the good greens and play in the calmed conditions, I’d love to wake up at 3:30 every morning.”

Lee Westwood’s girlfriend, Helen Storey, seems to be enjoying her first Open on the bag.
“She’s delighted because they’ve got their own rakers. She doesn’t have to rake the bunkers.”

Tyrrell Hatton isn’t a fan of Calamity Corner, the par-3 16th.
“It’s pretty tough. I don’t think it’s a good hole anyway,’ he said. ‘I don’t think you walk off many holes or many par-3s at 230 yards and think, ‘that’s a good hole’.”

With the exception of this week, J.B. Holmes admitted he travels to every tournament with his dog.
“His name is Ace. He’s been with us and he’s pretty much six months old. He’s pretty much grown. He’s been on hundreds of planes probably. I don’t know how many flights he’s taken but he’s been on a bunch.”