There is no denying that the last decade has been great for the game of golf.
From 2010-19 golf fans saw the emergence of generational stars like Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka, Tiger Woods’ grand return, countless rules violations and controversies, the first-ever women’s event at historic Augusta National, some unforgettable shots and legendary moments in majors and team competitions.
And every one of those events produced memorable quotes that true fans of the game will remember forever.
Check out the best quotes from the last decade, broken up by year, and send us any that we may have missed.
2019
Augusta National Women’s Amateur
“I think to win at Augusta National, just to get to walk the fairways and walk up 18 with as many fans as there were, it’s an experience like none other.” — Jennifer Kupcho after winning the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur in an unforgettable final match against future national champion Maria Fassi.
“I think that’s what women’s golf should look like every Sunday on the last group. It’s the players’ responsibility for it to be like that, and I know that’s the way I want to be for the rest of my life.” — Fassi after displaying incredible sportsmanship in the final round.
World, meet Amy Bockerstette
“No, I’ve got this.” — Amy Bockerstette, the golfer with Down syndrome who went viral with an incredible par at the 2019 Phoenix Open.
Sergio Garcia’s emotional year
“I am an emotional player and while I believe that’s one of my biggest strengths, it’s also one of my biggest flaws. I’m focused on working hard to channel that emotion the correct way and to be the best me, learn from it and move forward.” — Sergio Garcia after throwing a tempter tantrum in the bunker at the Saudi International, where he was eventually disqualified.
Presidents Cup
“Abe wanted it, he got it.” — Tiger Woods after defeating Abraham Ancer in singles, who previously said he wanted to play Woods.
“When you make birdies, you don’t hear much.” — Patrick Reed on dealing with the jeers from International fans following his Hero World Challenge rules violation.
Jack being Jack
“There’s been a lot of mileage out of just a two-foot putt.” — Jack Nicklaus on the 50-year anniversary of his famous Ryder Cup concession.
Phil Mickelson on Magnolia Lane
“There’s nothing better than being in contention on the weekend at the Masters driving up Magnolia Lane. I’ve got a great pairing today with Matt Kuchar. Obviously, we’re not going to have any side action today because I’d probably see like .06 percent if I did win. But we’re going to have a great day.” — Phil Mickelson while cruising down Magnolia Lane on the weekend at the Masters makes joke referencing Matt Kuchar’s caddie payment controversy earlier in the year at the 2019 Masters. Isn’t Lefty being on Twitter just the best?
Golf’s newest rivalry?
“I’ve been out here for, what, five years? Rory hasn’t won a major since I’ve been on the PGA Tour. So I just don’t view it as a rivalry,” — Brooks Koepka shuts down any notion of a rivalry with Rory McIlroy. Both players are also featured on Golfweek’s top players of the decade.
2018
Mickelson’s meltdown at Augusta
“Look, I don’t mean disrespect to anybody. I know it’s a two-shot penalty. At that time, I just didn’t feel like going back and forth. It’s my understanding of the rules. I’ve had multiple times where I’ve wanted to do that, I just finally did. If somebody’s offended by that, I apologize. But toughen up.” — Phil Mickelson after knowingly breaking the Rules of Golf in wild scene at Augusta National.
Ryder Cup controversy
“The issue’s obviously with Jordan (Spieth) not wanting to play with me. I don’t have any issue with Jordan. When it comes right down to it, I don’t care if I like the person I’m paired with or if the person likes me as long as it works and it sets up the team for success. He and I know how to make each other better. We know how to get the job done. … For somebody as successful in the Ryder Cup as I am, I don’t think it’s smart to sit me twice.” — Patrick Reed after a disappointing week in Paris for Team USA and the Americans at the 2018 Ryder Cup.
The Mad Scientist is mad confusing
“How much better can I get? Oh, man, in short, layman’s terms, yes, absolutely, you can always get better. How much? I would say it depends on what I can do in the restrictions of my biomechanics. So it’s all about air, air tolerances and being able to be more sensitive — less sensitive to air. So that when you do feel like you mess up it’s not going to be that big of a mess up. I hope that makes sense.” — Bryson DeChambeau after winning the Dell Technologies Championship. No, Bryson, it doesn’t make any sense. At all.
2017
GO GET THAT
“Go get that.” — Jordan Spieth after a clutch eagle at the British Open, his last major win.
Jack vs. Tiger
“Do I wish (Tiger) well? Yeah, but I’m not interested in watching him. I’ve watched him play golf for 20-something years, why would I want to go watch more? I don’t watch anybody play golf.” — Jack Nicklaus on watching a potential Tiger Woods comeback.
“Oh my God. This is ridiculous. Is this a joke?” — Lexi Thompson after losing the lead at the ANA Inspiration with a four-stroke penalty.
Presidents Cup
“Si Woo shakin’ that a—, shakin’ that a—.” — Jordan Spieth on his favorite song the crowd sang at the 2017 Presidents Cup.
2016
Olympic gold medalist
“That felt better than anything I’ve ever won. It was the best tournament I’ve ever done. Hopefully we’ve shown Brazil what golf is about. I’m glad it was close. Not for my nerves, for golf.” — Justin Rose after winning the gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
Death of a legend
Arnold Palmer passed away in 2016. On what would’ve been his 90th birthday, we took a look at the life of a legend.
My personal favorite?
“I used to hear cheers go up from the crowd around Palmer, and I never knew whether he’d made a birdie or just hitched up his pants.” — Lee Trevino.
Ryder Cup
“I can’t hear you!” — Rory McIlroy in an epic singles match against Patrick Reed.
2015
Tiger’s ‘pretty good run’
“There’s really nothing I can look forward to, nothing I can build towards. It’s literally just day by day and week by week and time by time. Where is the light at the end of the tunnel? I don’t know. I think everything beyond this will be gravy.” — Tiger Woods at the 2015 Hero World Challenge. A record-tying 82nd PGA Tour victory, 15th major and playing-captain Presidents Cup victory later? Gravy, indeed.
2013
Historic Masters win
“Come on Aussie!” — Adam Scott on the 18th green at Augusta National after becoming being the first Australian native to win the Masters.
2012
Ryder Cup
“It’s great to bring The Ryder Cup back to Europe. It has been the best week of my life, this is the best event in golf by far.” — Rory McIlroy on the his first-ever Ryder Cup experience.
“It means everything for him (Seve). We played from the heart today, we brought this trophy back. It’s a special day for European golf.” — Ian Poulter, on the influence of Seve Ballesteros, who was unable to attend due to illness.
2011
Rory’s first major
“And as I said, to get one out of the way early, you can always call yourself a major champion. And hopefully in the not so distant future I’ll be able to call myself a multiple major champion.” — Rory McIlroy after winning his first major title at the 2011 U.S. Open.
Not so distant was right. Over the next three years McIlroy added three more majors to his name, and now just needs the elusive Masters title to claim his grand slam.
Darren Clarke’s epic Open
“I had quite a few pints and quite a few beers and quite a few glasses of red wine, and it all continued until about 30 minutes ago. I did look at my watch before I said that, so it did take a while. But it’s been a very good night.” — Darren Clarke
“I have 294 messages, and the writing is far too small for me to look at them in this state, so I may look at them tomorrow at some stage and figure them out.” — Darren Clarke
“Tyrone, my oldest one, he was very pleased, very proud. He said he was going to tell everybody his dad was Open Champion. My younger boy, Conor, wanted to know what he could spend all the money on. So it was a huge difference between the two. But they were both very happy.” — Darren Clarke
“Actually there’s been nothing (in the Claret Jug) overnight at all. There’s been nothing in there. I’m a little bit of a traditionalist. I love the thought of whatever being in the trophy, but I’m a little bit of 2-iron as opposed to rescue, and I’m that sort of guy. I feel a bit funny about putting stuff in the Claret Jug that shouldn’t be in there, so I’m a little bit more reserved as to what I should do. So there’s nothing in it as yet. That may not be the case as the week goes by, but at the moment there’s been nothing in there.” — Darren Clarke gave some incredible quotes a day after his Open title.
2010
Phil and Amy
“We’ve been through a lot this year, and it means a lot to share some joy together. She’s an incredible wife, an incredible mother, and she’s been an inspiration to me, going through what she’s been through.” — Phil Mickelson
“This has been an incredible week, and it’s something we’ll share and remember the rest of our lives. It’s one of the best things we’ve gone through. To feel this kind of jubilation is something we’ll never forget.” — Phil Mickelson after winning the Masters after his wife, Amy, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
DJ’s costly penalty
“It never once crossed my mind I was in a sand trap … I just thought I was on a piece of dirt where the crowd had trampled it down. Obviously I know I can’t ground my club in a bunker but I should have looked at the rules sheet a little closer.” — Dustin Johnson after a controversial rules violation that cost him a shot at the PGA Championship title.
