Justin Rose: “I didn’t know whether being fresh would play in my favour, or being rusty would play against me. I think being fresher won the day for me. I felt the support growing as the round progressed, as I went to the top of the leaderboard. I definitely sensed the excitement and goodwill out there. There’s a distinctive sound. When I holed at the 16th it was like “whaaay”. It was a different sort of noise than in America. It’s distinctive and unique. When that happens, I’m back in England.”

Paul Broadhurst: “I got off to a really good start. It’s not very often you’re three under after four round here. A start like that and you think, “Hmm, got to make something of this.” I managed to keep it going. It was probably the best putting round, I don’t know about ever, but I certainly made a few.”

Simon Khan: “There’s no doubt this is our biggest tournament bar The Open. I just feel like I am playing at home here and to shoot well around Wentworth is great. I just like the set-up of the course and the shape of the holes. Some courses you cannot see a shot on occasion, but round here I get a nice feeling.”

Francesco Molinari: “I played the Italian Open last year with Anders Hansen the first two rounds and won, maybe playing with him again here will bring some luck, we’ll see.”

Ernie Els: “I had a good start, was two under through six and then three putted the seventh and ninth. So I wasn’t feeling great after the front nine but put some good shots together on the back nine. Five under on the back nine for a 68 is not bad round here.”

Joyti Randhawa: “We had perfect conditions. Couldn’t ask for better weather. Nice and sunny for nine holes, got a little cloudy and no wind. Playing in Europe, this is as good as it gets.”

Mikko Ilonen: “I really hit it well off the tee and hit 12 fairways, with is probably a record for me. There are a lot of birdies out there if you can keep it on the fairway.”

Padraig Harrington: “I played some good golf at times and tried to play very conservatively all day, birdied four of the par fives, which is why I shot 69. My goal today was to try and limit the damage. I’ve done slightly better than that and it leaves me in a very good position going into my early round tomorrow.”

Henrik Stenson: “Overall. I’m happy with the score. I’m two under par after being two over after one. With the comeback I think I’m in decent shape.”