The AT&T National may technically be Tiger Woods’ tournament, but Anthony Kim seems to own it.
The defending champion, Kim set the Congressional Country Club record with a 62 in Thursday’s opening round before Woods even started. Firing a 29 over the last nine holes with six birdies, Kim could’ve done one shot better, but missed a nine-foot putt on his final hole.
Not bad for someone playing with almost one arm.
“Just because I shot 62 doesn’t take away that bitter taste in my mouth when I’m not contending for tournaments,” Kim said. “It’s awful when you come out here [and] finish 20th and 30th. I’m finally getting to that point that I’m going to win every time I tee it up.”
A sore left thumb over the last three months left Kim with no top-10 finishes. He couldn’t hit those fade shots that let him attack the greens. Doctors prescribed two months rest, but the 24-year-old, ranked by Woods as one of the PGA Tour’s young stars, refused to yield. He could learn even in defeat, Kim said. Now healthy, he put a hurting on Old Blue.
“Nike, when I signed with them, wants athletes and pros that play through pain and play through injuries,” Kim said.
Translation — buck up, boys, Kim is no first-day wonder who wilts come the weekend. He took the National last year at 12-under. The pre-tournament buzz of six-under winning this time is obviously debunked. Kim is swinging for flags.
A couple errant balls even bounced favorably. Bad drives on No. 3 and 4 somehow became birdies when finding a clear line around trees.
Kim excelled on the greens, too. The contrast with partner Jim Furyk, who shot a 66, was compelling. Furyk stands over putts like a statue while Kim barely sets his feet.
“Bad thoughts creep in,” said Kim on his quick putting. “There’s nothing good going to come out of standing over the ball.”
Kim grew up playing Woods’ golf video game. He idolizes the icon. Taking the tournament last year while Woods recovered from knee surgery was bittersweet.
“I thought [Woods] was here last year — his name was all over the place,” joked Kim before the tournament. “I’m not playing against Tiger. I’m playing against everybody in the field, and I know a lot of people say that, but I believe it.”
Kim certainly has many believers behind him.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
