I was accustomed to feeling that I was better than the other guys, that I had a mental edge,

[That the win came only days after the Ryder Cup announcement was not a coincidence.] Being a captain's pick is a huge honor, and I was very flattered by that, ... but once the Ryder Cup race was over at the PGA, I felt as if there was a burden lifted and I was able to focus on what was at hand this week.

Going back over the last ten U.S. Opens I've played in, I think this course is probably the best because it leaves no room for error. You're not going to get away with anything on Pinehurst No. 2. You have to plan your shots well and execute them.

I've not only seen him on the silver screen on TV playing in the Masters, but also around the dorm, ... So just to be qualified and to be able to represent a team that's captained by Jack is special enough right there.

I am surprised he left.

I thought he'd be hitting balls Monday morning at the golf course because it's a tough course to finish on and it's a major championship. It would have been totally sportsmanlike for him to come out there and be prepared for whatever happened. If anything, just him being there at the clubhouse and being seen might have affected the way they played on Monday.