Go Anthony Kim

by PGATour.com

Each week during the 2009 season, PGATOUR.COM has spotlighted one key player in the field. (Click here to see previous spotlights.) For this week’s Quail Hollow Championship, it’s defending champion Anthony Kim.

Five things you should know about Anthony Kim

• Like a lot of players on TOUR, Kim loves to play poker. And no wonder: His initials, A.K., could easily stand for Ace-King, one of the top starting hands in No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em.
• Briefly attended the University of Oklahoma before turning pro. On the day of the 2009 college football’s BCS title game between Oklahoma and Florida, he was paired with Florida graduate Camilo Villegas at the Mercedes Championship.
• Grips down on the club more than almost anyone on TOUR. Kim got into the habit of choking down on every club early in his golfing life, and he’s never wavered from this habit. It doesn’t hurt his distance — Kim is consistently among the longest hitters on TOUR despite his 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame.
• Is arguably the biggest NBA fan on TOUR. Kim grew up playing hoops in L.A., and he remains a huge Lakers fan even though he makes his residence in Dallas.
• Finished fourth in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup after a stunning run in the Playoffs in which he finished tied for third twice in four weeks (BMW CXhampionship, THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola).

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by Staff / Tulsa World

Former University of Oklahoma standout Anthony Kim went from facing an early exit in his first Masters to a record-setting round and a spot in the top 10.

He set a Masters record for most birdies in round with 11, en route to a 7-under 65.

Another former OU player, Todd Hamilton, has not seen his name up high on the leaderboard since winning the 2004 British Open. But Hamilton will start in the next-to-last group in Saturday’s third round at Augusta.

Hunter Mahan will have two more opportunities to conquer Augusta’s famed Amen Corner. The former Oklahoma State star’s struggles at hole Nos. 11, 12 and 13 the first two days have kept him from a higher placing. He is currently tied for 11th.

Kim, Hamilton and Mahan are contenders entering the weekend of the season’s first major golf championship.

Kim’s opening-round 3-over 75 Thursday displayed traits of a first-time participant in the Masters.

“I haven’t been making 11 birdies in two days; so to make 11 in one day is pretty special,” he said. “And obviously to do it at Augusta is amazing.”

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by Randy Phillips / Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL — Anthony Kim was camped in front of a television when he was 12 years old, watching Tiger Woods put on one of golf’s great performances while winning the 1997 Masters by a record 12 strokes at age 21.

“I remember watching Tiger . . . I was dreaming of being there one day,” Kim said in a recent interview. “I always said I would never play Augusta until I have a tee time, and now I do.”

Indeed, Kim does, and he will tee it up Thursday for the first round of the 73rd Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

And while the lion’s share of attention will be on Woods as he goes for his fourth green jacket in eight years, some of the spotlight surely will fall on the 23-year-old Korean-American who has become one of the PGA Tour’s “Young Guns” and is poised to make a run at his first major championship.

“I’m looking forward to playing in my first Masters,” Kim said. “It has been a lifelong dream of mine — as it is with everyone who loves golf.

“You definitely want to prepare for it like you would any other tournament, but I don’t think you can do that. Players arrange their schedules every year to try and be peaking for the Masters, so I’ve been watching how some of the veteran guys go about it. It’s going to be a very special experience for me.”

Kim earned his Masters tee time after a breakout year in 2008, his second season on the PGA Tour. Not only was he a two-time winner — taking the Wachovia Championship by an impressive five strokes in May and the AT&T National in July — he also played a major role as a Ryder Cup rookie, whipping Spain’s Sergio Garcia 5-and-4 in singles to help the United States defeat Europe.

Kim made 19 of 22 cuts in 2008, posted eight top-10 finishes, finished fourth in the FedEx Cup standings and was sixth on the PGA money list with $4,656,265. He finished the year ranked 11th in the world.

“It didn’t surprise me,” said Kim, who began the 2008 season ranked 75th. “To be honest, I felt like I could have won a couple more last year. I learned a lot in my first year on tour, which allowed me to be more focused and able to put some of that experience to work last year.”

There are a lot of similarities between Woods and Kim.

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