They Said It! The Best Quotes of 2014

“I can’t really go into much right now, but as I said in my statement, I have done absolutely nothing wrong. And that's why I've been fully cooperating with the FBI agents, and I'm happy to do so in the future, too, until this gets resolved.” – Phil Mickelson on being under investigation by the FBI and SEC in a possible insider trading case

“Green jacket.” -- Rory McIlroy on his goals for 2015.

"I would love to sit down with him for one hour and give him a piece of my knowledge … Then I think he could win majors.” —Gary Player on his desire to talk to Tiger Woods about his recent struggles on the course.

“I’ve never played with Obama, but I would... But no, that’s OK. I’d take him out. He’s a hack and I’d be all day playing with him... I never said he wasn’t a great politician. I’m just saying he’s a sh---y golfer." —Michael Jordan on whether he would include President Barack Obama in his dream foursome.

“I'm going to win a bunch of tournaments. I'm going to win at least one U.S. Open, maybe two. And I'm going to make the 2016 Olympic team. And really, I'd love to make the 2020 Olympic team. I'd be 50. How cool would that be?" --Phil Mickelson, to ESPN’s Rick Reilly, on how his best golf is still to come.

“I probably should have taken more notes in that class.” --Elin Nordegren on finishing a class in communication and media just prior to her then-husband Tiger Woods’ public scandals. Nordegren spoke as the outstanding graduating senior at Rollins College graduation on Saturday.

“There is no right way to end a relationship that has been so important to two people. The problem is mine. The wedding invitations issued at the weekend made me realize that I wasn’t ready for all that marriage entails.” – Rory McIlroy on breaking off his five-month engagement to tennis pro Caroline Wozniacki

“He apologized for the way it went down. It was a little unfortunate for a tournament to end like that with everyone being rushed.” --Rickie Fowler on getting an apology from PGA of America President Ted Bishop for how the PGA Championship at Valhalla ended.

“I've had Achilles injuries, obviously knee surgeries, but this thing is just way different. It's way more debilitating than I thought.” --Tiger Woods on recovering from back surgery.

“That's sort of overkill. We've had 70 years of the Ryder Cup, and it's gotten along just fine. The pendulum will swing back without making a monumental thing about it." --Jack Nicklaus on the PGA of America’s task force to fix the U.S. Ryder Cup team. (Photo of Nicklaus and Rickie Fowler at the 2014 Ryder Cup.)

“The difference between Jack (Nicklaus) and Tiger (Woods) at 38 is when Jack was 38 everybody wanted to hit it like him. At 38 I don’t think many guys want to hit it like Tiger.” - Paul Azinger, comparing the best in the game

"After attempting to get ready for the Masters, and failing to make the necessary progress, I decided in consultation with my doctors to have this procedure done. ... It also looks like I'll be forced to miss several upcoming tournaments to focus on my rehabilitation and getting healthy." - Tiger Woods on missing the Masters for the first time in his pro career because of back surgery

“I think we’re finally in a spot where we can dream big. A few years ago, we had to dream about recovery. We aren’t talking about recovery anymore. We’re talking about: `How high is up?’ That’s when it really gets fun.” – Mike Whan on growing the LPGA's fan base

"@IanJamesPoulter -Faldo's record stands by itself. Six majors and all-time RC points. Yours vs. His? Lil Girl." - Former PGA President Ted Bishop on Ian Poulter's criticisms of former Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo.

“I'd quit the game before I do that.” --Bubba Watson on hiring a swing coach or a mental game coach.

Nick Faldo will play in his final British Open this July at St. Andrews.

Phil Mickelson has been a Ryder Cup regular.