USPGA Championship 2013: player quotes

USPGA Championship 2013: player quotes

The USPGA Championship, the fourth and final major of the year, gets underway at Oak Hill this afternoon. Here's what some of the world's best golfers have been saying in the build-up to the tournament:

Rory McIlroy

"I keep saying my game doesn't feel too far away. It's obviously not where I want it to be, but it's not a million miles away.

"I have put in a lot of work for the past couple of weeks and I definitely feel things are going in the right direction. Once I get my long game back on track, I feel like my short game is exactly where it needs to be." Tiger Woods

"If you have an opportunity to make a birdie, you'd better, because there aren't a whole lot of opportunities to make them.

"The rough was already up when I played it on Tuesday. It has another week of getting thicker and more lush. I think that it will be a very, very difficult championship.

"Do I want it any more? No, it's the same. Each and every major, I always want them. I've been successful 14 times, and hopefully next week will be 15." Phil Mickelson

"I'm more motivated than ever to work hard to succeed because I can taste some of my best golf coming out. I can feel it. I'm enjoying it more than I ever have."

Adam Scott

"I think I was probably more disappointed at the Open this year than last. To go from leading to not even having a chance in 45 minutes was more disappointing than Lytham."

"It was really pleasing to play well again at The Open just a couple of weeks ago. I feel like I'm in form coming into the USPGA."

Justin Rose

"I think that all of us at this point in our careers need to have our head down, need to play as hard as you can, need to amass as much success as you can.

"I felt uncomfortable talking about Merion and just keep celebrating that win, I just didn't feel right. I feel like it's something to look back on at the end of my career.

"I did my best to enjoy being a major champion for the first month or so, but there comes a point where... it can prevent you from staying fully focusses on what's ahead. It's time to move forward."

Ian Poulter

"It's silly mistakes that have been very costly over the years. It's about me staying focussed for 18 holes and trying not to make those silly mistakes, and trying to find myself in a better position come Sunday morning.

"This week at the USPGA, I really need to be on my A game to make sure I put it in position off the tee. There are a number of long par 4s around Oak Hill where you've got no chance at all if you're coming out of the rough."