"It's still frightfully tough out there but the morning players definitely got
the better half of it, especially if we don't get any more rain this week."
Nick Dougherty underlines the fact that an Englishman is leading the US Open by using the word "frightfully" in a post-round interview.
"The US Open is my favourite tournament to play. I love the fun. Americans are noisier than us, and I like that. I love the atmosphere, the way the tournament is run, I love how tough the course is."
Dougherty then remembers that he should probably start waving the "Stars and Stripes" if he wants a gentle ride from the galleries for the rest of the weekend.
"Every time I was in the rough I made it look hard, but every time I was on the fairway I hit it pretty close to the hole."
Defending champion Geoff Ogilvy manages to make what can seem to be a very difficult game sound very simple indeed.
"On most golf courses you play, you know you're going to pick up a cheap birdie here and there. Here there are none."
Not that Tiger Woods is complaining - the world number one is only three shots off the lead despite playing well below his usual high standards.
"Although the wrist injury is aggravating, it's not a shooting pain like it was. It's an annoyance or like getting pushed in a black and blue spot."
Phil Mickelson invents his very own medical terminology, or just another way of saying bruise, after scrapping his way to a rusty four-over 74 following two weeks off with a wrist injury.
"I was really happy they got me with Jose and Sergio."
Pablo Martin expresses his delight, and perhaps his surprise, that the supposedly random draw at the US Open threw up an all-Spanish group for him to play in.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~20~RS~)