The 2008 AT&T National lost its Tiger, but found a young lion.
Anthony Kim is only 23 years old, but looking every bit a PGA Tour elder. He took the lead on the first hole Sunday before chasing six hopefuls from the leaderboard with a birdie on 16. By the time Kim reached the large crowd at the final hole, the Congressional Country Club fans welcomed him with a congratulatory cheer even before tapping in a par for 65. Then again, maybe fans were just glad to escape the projected rain that Kim faced only briefly on No. 15 after tournament officials started play three hours early.
Kim is supposed to be the next great young talent. Not the next Tiger Woods — those only come once each generation — but Kim shined with his second victory over two months in his sophomore season after a runner-up finish in April. The Tour needs fresh faces to keep fans interested while Woods mends and NFL camps soon open. Kim could be one reason why kickoffs don’t have to be the cutoff for golf’s followers. If the veterans can’t benefit from Woods’ absence then Kim said newcomers certainly will.
“Any time there’s a young guy, there’s always a little bit of buzz created,” he said. “It’s time for the young guys to step up and make a statement. Hopefully, people will get to know golf besides Tiger.”
Kim’s 12-under victory in the second-year event was one of consistency. While runnerup Fredrik Jacobson was undermined by a second-day 72, Kim posted four straight below-par efforts capped by his best round yesterday. When his second shot on No. 17 went in the rough, Kim recalled his childhood days on the course beating friends. Keep it simple, he thought. Kim nearly birdied on the next swing before later tapping in a short putt for par to end any final-hole pressure.
Kim took the Wachovia Championship on May 4 with a 16-under performance. Two weeks earlier, he was second in the Verizon Heritage at 12-under. Not bad for someone who now has nine Top 10 finishes this year after four last season as a rookie. The AT&T National’s U.S. Capitol dome trophy may not be a green jacket, but it’s pretty nice hardware for the mantle. It’s also proof that Kim’s recent play isn’t a fluke.
Staying up late to watch ultimate fighting contests on Saturday night that left him with just four hours sleep can’t be a normal routine. Partying late and once showing up minutes before his tee time brought too many demoralizing finishes during Kim’s first year.
“My preparation and work ethic couldn’t get any worse,” he said. “I realized this isn’t what I want to do. If I’m going to finish 33rd or 35th every single week, I don’t want to play golf.”
The new lifestyle of staying away from “bad people” and “bad places” has begun. Now he’s concentrating on being the next Woods — one day.
“I’d like to work my way into that position,” he said. “If I keep getting better, I don’t see why I couldn’t challenge him.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
