Nick Faldo

Q: Will the caddie change benefit Rory McIlroy?

A: He’ll be taking more responsibility, and I think that’ll be a good thing. And he’ll have his best mate on the bag, so it’s not like he’s getting to know a character and I think he handled that all really well. His season has been around this rib injury. Way back in January, he was more keen to play more tournaments prior to The Masters. Then bang, he hurts his rib, and does it again.

Q: Were you surprised by Phil Mickelson’s split with his caddie?

A: Phil and Bones (Jim Mackay), from what we gather from the outside, Bones was getting a little too involved. I commented on the situation on the 17th hole of The Players when Bones was all over Phil with what he wanted him to play. Bones was telling Phil what to do and what not to do and it all went on way too long. Then Phil hit over the green and into the water and he said, “I just want a yardage” on 18. There was something brewing.

Q: Do you have a feud brewing with Greg Norman?

A: Greg put out an article that he turned down the sound at The Masters (which CBS broadcasts). I thought that was very amusing, so I said I needed a hug after, since he wasn’t listening to me. He thought we were all boring, but no that was all done in good humor and good jest.

Q: Do you like the new course setup at Quail Hollow?

A: Well, they made it a monster. There are six holes over 500 yards that are par 4s. It’s a real driver’s course. We all agree that if you could hit it long and high, it’s going to make a huge difference, especially with threatening thunderstorms every day. It’s going to play its full length. If you drive it really well, then you are going to have a huge advantage. ... Any of these guys who can consistently get it out there 300 (yards), 320, even if it’s soft, that is going to make a huge difference if you are gaining 30 yards on people — that’s three clubs. We are all leaning toward it being a long driver’s week. Q: Do you think golfers will like the new schedule? A: The best golf will start late March, guys will come over and get prepared then there’s The Players, Masters, U.S. Open, then the FedEx Cup. From March 1 to September 1, it’s going to be jam-packed with golf. That’s what they were looking for; obviously (the) NFL rules and they wanted to get the main season in there. I think it’ll be pretty good for the golfers to know where they are going to be, easier to travel.