BETHESDA, Md. — Anthony Kim ran off eight birdies over his final 13 holes and set the course record at Congressional on Thursday with an 8-under-par 62, giving him a two-shot lead over AT&T National host Tiger Woods and two others.
Kim, 24, has not won since his victory in the AT&T National last year, slowed by an assortment of injuries that caused his game to slip just as he was being anointed the next great American player.
It was the best round of his PGA Tour career, although Kim walked off the par-5 ninth green slightly perturbed after narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie putt.
Apparently, eight birdies weren’t enough.
“You don’t have many opportunities to bust a 61,” Kim said.
But it was enough to hold off Woods, who missed his tournament last year after having season-ending knee surgery. Woods played in the afternoon with deceptive wind swirling from trees lining the fairways. He missed only two fairways and three greens, and made enough putts for a 64, his lowest round since the 2007 Tour Championship.
“Today was nice to get back inside the ropes and get out there and try to catch A.K.,” Woods said. “He lit it up this morning.”
Bryce Molder, who can qualify for the British Open with a strong week at Congressional, hit a 3-wood to 4 feet on the par-3 second hole and escaped trouble a few times on the back nine to join a group at 64 that also included D.A. Points.
Former PGA champion Steve Elkington was another shot back on a day of exceptional scoring in relatively soft conditions from overnight rain in the Washington area.
Three dozen players shot in the 60s, including Jim Furyk in a group at 66 and U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover at 69. Nearly half of the 120-man field was at par or better.
Trio atop Farr leaderboard
SYLVANIA, Ohio — Morgan Pressel was paired with the world’s top two players in the opening round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.
And she outplayed them both.
Pressel, Song-Hee Kim and Laura Diaz each shot a 7-under 64 to share the lead, one shot ahead of Michelle Wie and Suzann Pettersen at Highland Meadows.
“It was a great pairing,” Pressel said after playing with top-ranked Lorena Ochoa (67) and No. 2 Yani Tseng (68). “They’re both good friends, and they have a lot of fun. They’re great to play with.”
Then Pressel, ranked No. 37, laughed and added, “Even though I hit first all day.”
Defending champion Paula Creamer, who shot a personal- best and course-record 60 in last year’s first round, withdrew because of a thumb injury moments before her morning tee time.
Another shot back of Wie and Pettersen after rounds of 66 were Cristie Kerr, Inbee Park, Jiyai Shin, Lindsey Wright and Jee Young Lee.
Kaymer leads French Open
SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — Martin Kaymer tied a course record with a 9-under 62 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the French Open.
Kaymer overcame a painful blister and a bogey on his first hole with eight birdies and an eagle on No. 3 to tie the record set by Eduardo Romero in 2005 on the 7,300-yard Golf National course.
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Rafa Echenique of Argentina, Scott Strange of Australia, Peter Hanson of Sweden and John Bickerton of England all shot 65s.
The Associated Press
