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“The Ryder Cup is the best event in golf, by far”

The week’s sport, through quotes, compiled by IAN COLE. Unsurprisingly, dominated by the Ryder Cup, plus Roy Hodgson, Ijaz Butt and Alberto Contador

“This is one of the finest moments of my golf car… No, hang on. This is the greatest moment of my golfing career” Colin Montgomerie, Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, goes for an emotional scripted “ad lib” at the closing ceremony at Celtic Manor.

Under pressure: Graeme McDowell

“The US Open felt like the back 9 with my Dad back home in Portrush in comparison. That was nervous today, nervous” Graeme McDowell is Europe’s hero with a last-match victory over Hunter Mahan to regain the Ryder Cup by a at Celtic Manor.

“It’s great, it’s fantastic. I wouldn’t have said this a year ago but this is the best event in golf, by far” Rory McIlroy, who a year before had described the Ryder Cup as an exhibition event.

“You don’t win majors any more, you don’t win regular tournaments any more and you’re about to be deposed as world No1. Where is the Ryder Cup on your agenda now you’re an ordinary golfer?” Dick Turner, the English freelancer who asked the hard question of Tiger Woods.

“I’ve just done something I wouldn’t have believed possible in South Wales in October. I’ve bought an ice cream” John Inverdale basks in autumn sunshine after three days of rain.

“There’s a lot of nonsense talked about the order of the singles pairings. They’ve all got to play. Sometimes I think you should throw all the names up in the air and see where they come down” Peter Alliss calls that one right.

“You’ve got your Big Macs, we’ve got our Little Mac” Fans’ chant in support of Rory McIlroy. Then G-Mac took over.

“I want these guys to be accountable to each other and have each other’s backs. Basically, that’s what happens in the military” Corey Pavin, the US Ryder Cup captain, explains his choice of highly decorated former fighter pilot Major Dan Rooney to give a motivational speech to his team.

“It would be very dumb of me to say I expect the Commonwealth Games to be clean. Will there be some athletes in Delhi who get away with it? Probably. There will always be athletes willing to take the risk” David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency, with a gloomy but realistic prediction.

“I wish to withdraw the comments I made concerning each of the England players who played in the one-day international on September 17. It is regrettable there was a misunderstanding. I never intended to question the behaviour or integrity of the England players, nor to suggest any of them were involved in any corrupt practice” Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman.

“The clash of dates was unfortunate but, at the 11th hour, we rationally decided it was more important for our captain to take part in a long-arranged and highly-significant squad event” Saracens’ statement explains why Steve Borthwick missed the launch of the Heineken Cup to go on a jolly to the Oktoberfest in Munich.

Worrying times: Roy Hodgson

“It has been said that if you are in the bottom three you are in a relegation fight. I would have to go along with that” Roy Hodgson, Liverpool’s manager, after the 2-1 home defeat to Blackpool.

“To be sacked after being told there was a long-term strategy at the club and after only nine games is something I find very surprising” Paulo Sousa is the latest manager to be shown the exit door by Leicester City chairman Milan Mandaric.

“He clearly hit me on purpose. He smashed his arm right into my face and when I showed the referee my bleeding nose he smiled at me” Marc Janko complains about a challenge from Spurs’ Tom Huddlestone in the Champions League game against FC Twente.

“People cook up some unbelievable stuff for breakfast over here. As for baked beans, they can trigger a violent reaction in anybody not used to them” Herita Ilunga, West Ham’s Congolese full back.

“I’ve spent a month and a half keeping this inside, without sleeping. My family didn’t find out until last night. I’m sad and disappointed but I can hold my head high because with the truth in front of me I can talk loud and clear. The UCI understands perfectly what has happened” Alberto Contador, the Tour de France winner who tested positive for Clenbuterol.

“There’s a very strong chance this is being blown way out of proportion. It’s a micro-dose and it was on a rest day. It makes no sense. Maybe Alberto has been thrown to the sharks” David Millar, cycling’s reformed drugs cheat.


Voting for the SJA’s annual British Sports Awards is now open. Only SJA members may vote, and they are allowed to vote only once, when they must choose their top three choice for Sportsman, Sportswoman and Team of the Year.

Deadline for voting is November 9. Click here for the online voting form.

Tickets to attend the SJA British Sports Awards on December 8 are also now on sale. Click here for a booking form.