Birkdale Friday observations

Camilo Villegas (76-65), on needing only 23 putts after taking 34 the day before, helping him finish with five consecutive birdies: “Just trying to even it out, man.”

Villegas on how the wind affected play: “Downwind you can hit a drive that goes 370 yards, and then you get into the wind and you’re hitting a driver 230. I mean, on the sixth hole I believe I had 205 to the front, and I killed a 3-wood, perfect, and it pitched two yards on. My 3-wood normally carries 260.”

Jim Furyk (71-71), on playing with Villegas and watching his five consecutive birdies: “I can see it happening, but just as quick as that happens, I can understand five bogeys in a row, too. It’s a tough golf course.”

Greg Norman (70-70), asked during a press conference whether, given his minimal expectations entering the Open, he had made any alternative plans for the weekend in case he missed the cut: “No. [Laughter.] Boy, I missed you guys.” [Laughter.]

Norman, estimating his tennis expertise after marrying Chris Evert: “I’m about a 20-handicap or 18-handicapper. I’m just learning how to get it back across the net.”

Adam Scott (70-74), on Norman, a fellow Aussie 25 years his senior: “When he was one under through nine and I was still around the mark, I was trying to get myself up there so I could maybe play with him over the weekend. That would have been awesome–paired with him late in an Open at the weekend would be great. I’ll have to play well tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll catch him Sunday.”

Rocco Mediate (69-73): “I hit the ball a million times better today, shot four shots higher. Go figure.”

Sergio Garcia (72-73), on three-putting the 18th: “While I appeared calm on the outside, the things I was saying to myself were not very nice.”

Mark O’Meara (74-77), the Open champion at Birkdale in 1998: “I putted so badly for two days… I’m not a real happy camper right now.”

Robert Allenby (69-73): “You can’t attack this golf course. As soon as you start attacking it, it’ll grab you and chew you up, that’s for sure.”

Graeme McDowell (69-73): “Four or five days swinging the golf club in this kind of wind I think inevitably takes its toll a little bit, and I felt my rhythm wasn’t quite there the first 10 or 11 holes.”

Jean Van de Velde (73-71), on waking up at 4:30 a.m. for his 6:30 starting time: “It’s been a while since I’ve done that, but when I play the Open or other big tournaments, I’d be happy to come down at 6:30 every day if I could keep playing golf for many years to come.”