PGA Tour: Anthony Kim got his AT&T National title defence off to the best possible start at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland today, with a course-record - eight-under-par - bogey-free 62 on the 7,255-yard Bethesda course, venue for the 2011 US Open.
A Ryder Cup hero for the US at Valhalla last September, Kim has struggled with injuries all year and he admitted earlier this week that his confidence had been at rock bottom after missing the cut at The Players Championship in early May.
Yet he has turned a corner recently with a tie for 16th at the US Open two weeks ago and last week’s tie for 11th at the Travelers Championship.
That improvement continued at Congressional as Kim, starting early and playing the back nine first, made the turn at two under with a 33 and came home with six birdies in 28. He even missed a birdie putt at the last, the par-five ninth, but had the luxury of a tap-in for par and a 62.
“It was a good day,” Kim said. “I really thought my way around the course.
“I did a good job of picking some intermediate targets and some better lines than we have been this whole year and I think that’s what has led to the good play.
“It’s been a tough year, it really has. The injuries have not allowed me to swing the way I wanted to and we’re finally getting to that point where I can.
“So I’m looking forward to keeping the ball in play and making a couple of putts.”
Also on the clubhouse leaderboard from the morning wave of starters was fellow American DA Points, two shots behind Kim after a 64, with compatriot Jim Furyk and Sweden’s Daniel Chopra shooting 65.
Having missed his last three cuts, England’s Ryder Cup star Justin Rose made a good start to ensuring he would play into the weekend near Washington DC as he shot a three-under-par 67.
Rose’s round included five birdies and two bogeys but that still left him five shots off the clubhouse lead held by American Kim, who shot a course-record, eight-under-par, bogey-free 62.
Rose was in an early tie for sixth with American Boo Weekley at three under with tournament host and world number one Tiger Woods among the late starters as he returned to his own event after missing last year’s edition through injury.
Woods was paired with Lucas Glover, the man who succeeded him as US Open champion at Bethpage Black, and Charley Hoffman.
England’s Brian Davis and Scotland’s Martin Laird were both at level par after 15 holes but world number three Paul Casey’s recent troubles continued as he shot a five-over 75 having missed the cut at the US Open.
Fellow Englishman Greg Owen was also facing an uphill struggle to make the cut on Friday as he reached the 16th at five over par.
