CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a near flawless performance Sunday, 22-year-old Anthony Kim became the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in six years.
Following monster drives with flagstick-hitting approach shots and steady putting, Kim shot a 3-under-par 69 to cruise to a five-shot win over Ben Curtis at the Wachovia Championship.
The former NCAA freshman of the year at Oklahoma won’t turn 23 until next month. But he dominated a star-studded field by finishing with a 16-under 272 total, three shots better than the previous tournament record held by Tiger Woods.
“I’m a little bit numb right now, but that walk up 18 was the best feeling of my entire life,” Kim said. “I’ll never forget that feeling. I had chills going up and down my spine. I want to re-create that as many times as possible now, so I’m really going to work hard.”
Kim became the youngest winner since Sergio Garcia won his third PGA Tour title at the 2002 Mercedes Championship.
Kim invoked memories of Garcia, but for a different reason, when he strolled to the first tee Sunday with a four-shot lead and no PGA Tour wins. Garcia blew a six-shot lead at Quail Hollow in 2005 and lost in a playoff to Vijay Singh.
“I was actually pretty comfortable. I thought I’d have a couple more butterflies in my stomach at the first tee,” Kim said. “I felt pretty calm and confident about my game.”
It showed. Kim birdied the first and fifth holes to pull away from playing partner Heath Slocum, who shot a 73 and finished at 8-under.
“Anthony played great,” Slo- cum said. “From the get-go he put his foot on the gas and never let off. That was very, very impressive.”
Curtis’ 65 was the best round of the day and the best final round in the tournament’s six years.
