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Kim hopes record-setting performance signals turnaround
BETHESDA, Maryland (Reuters) - Anthony Kim sizzled to a course record at the AT&T National on Thursday and hoped his display signaled a turnaround after a season of frustration.
Holder Kim fired a flawless eight-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead at Congressional Country Club in the Tiger Woods-hosted tournament outside Washington, D.C.
"Whenever you can make a bunch of birdies and not bogeys to follow it up, it's going to be a good day," the 24-year-old told reporters after grabbing a two-stroke lead over fellow Americans Woods, DA Points and Bryce Molder.
"Fortunately I kept the ball in play for most of the day and finally got some putts to fall."
Kim's 2009 PGA Tour campaign has been hampered by a series of injuries, including a nagging thumb sprain. He has not cracked the top 10 since tying for second at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship in January.
"Just because I shot 62 doesn't take away that bitter taste in my mouth when I'm not contending for tournaments, and that's what everyone out here works for," he said.
"It's awful when you come out here and finish 20th and 30th and 50th. I've been lucky to finish 50th a couple times this year.
"But I'm finally getting to that point where I feel I'm going to be able to win every time I tee it up. It's not going to take anything crazy, it's just going to take solid golf."
STAYING FOCUSED
Kim, a double winner on the PGA Tour, vowed to stay focused and not look over his shoulder at 14-times major winner Woods.
"I did play very well but that man can go out there and shoot 60, so I'm not really worried about what he's doing," said Kim.
"All I can do is focus on myself."
Kim rocketed to the top of the leaderboard with eight birdies, including six in his last nine holes. He has not won since capturing this event with a 12-under total last year when Woods was recovering from reconstructive knee surgery.
"This golf course fits my eye and when I hit it wide I seem to get lucky out here," he said. "This is one of the very few courses I feel like I get lucky at.
"I love coming back to a course I have good feelings about, and obviously playing well last year helped. I'm starting to see the break on these greens pretty well."
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
