"Calamity" Kim makes fine start to European career
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Anthony Kim was delighted with his first round as a European Tour player on Thursday particularly as a calamitous fortnight had left him both limping and unable to eat solid food.
The 23-year-old Ryder Cup hero shot a six-under-par 66 for a share of second place in the opening round of the $5 million HSBC Champions, the first event on the 2009 European Tour calendar.
The Asian-American signed for the tour last week but nearly missed out on his debut after he hurt his right ankle falling down some stairs and further injured himself in a riding accident.
"I think I'm a walking calamity right now, but I'm just trying to hang in there, get this tournament done and try to have as much fun as possible," said the world number eight.
His health problems began at a friend's house a couple of weeks ago after his return from South Korea, his parents' homeland.
"We had just had dinner and I was walking down some stairs and rolled it pretty badly and thought I may have broken my foot and wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it...this week," he said.
He took time off to recuperate but was not in the mood to rest completely.
"I went horseback riding, which is really smart, on one of the days off and thought I had maybe broken my jaw," he said.
"(The horse) jumped and my mouth was open when he came down and it closed my mouth and just it was a lot of pain and I haven't been able to eat solid food for a little while. So it's been a little bit tough..."
Two wins on the U.S. PGA Tour and an outstanding Ryder Cup debut have propelled Kim from 75th in the world this year.
Having established himself on home soil, Kim is now targeting fame at an international level and his European Tour membership is part of that plan.
"For me to get my PGA Tour card and make a name for myself out there was important," he said.
"But I feel like I could be a worldwide player and be able to make a name for myself in every country, not just the United States."
(Editing by John Mehaffey)
