The Daily Wrap-up: Round 1, AT&T National
BETHESDA, Maryland (AP) -- Anthony Kim ran off eight birdies over his final 13 holes and set the course record with an 8-under 62 for a two-shot lead over AT&T National host Tiger Woods and two others on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Kim has not won since his victory here at Congressional Country Club last year, as he was slowed by an assortment of injuries that caused his game to slip just as he was being anointed as 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 wasn'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 TOUR Championship in 2007.
"Today was nice to get back inside the ropes and get out there and try to catch AK," 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.
"You can be so aggressive out there," Woods said. "You can fire at a lot of flags. The fairways got wide because it's not going to run out. If you get aggressive and get it going, you can post a number out there."
Three dozen players shots in the 60s, including Jim Furyk in the group at 66 and U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover at 69. Nearly half the 120-man field was at par or better.
As a tournament host, Woods took some solace that 3-under 67 was still good enough to be in the top 10. As a player, he saw Kim at 62 before he teed off and realized he had better stay as close as he could.
"This is the day to pull it off," he said, "because the greens are so soft."
Kim extended his bogey-free streak at Congressional to 40 holes, dating to the third round a year ago. He missed only one green, coming up just short on the 18th and chipping to about 3 feet. The longest par putt he faced all day was from 4 feet.
"Whenever you can make a bunch of birdies and not bogeys to follow it up, it's going to be a good day," Kim said. "And fortunately, I kept the ball in play for most of the day and finally got some putts to fall this year."
Even though it's the first week of July, it already feels like a long year to Kim.
He has not finished in the top 10 since his runner-up finish in the season-opening tournament in Hawaii, as he traveled the world while coping with injuries, the latest to his left thumb. He had to regrip the club on his backswing, making him tentative.
But as the strength returned, Kim has been able to set the club properly and swing more explosively through the ball.
As he worked his way along a rail to sign autographs, Fred Funk looked over at Kim and asked him what he shot. Without looking up, Kim casually told him he had a 62.
"Sixty-what?" Funk said, not believing what he heard. "Where did you cut over?"
There were no shortcuts for Kim, and only limited theatrics. Only two of his birdie putts were tap-in range, as Kim played to spots on the green instead of getting locked in on the flag when it didn't make sense.
| Other notables at the AT&T National | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Thursday's Best |
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The par-5 16th hole was the easiest with a Thursday scoring average of 4.739.
The par-4 11th hole was the toughest with a Thursday scoring average of 4.395.
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Vaughn Taylor chips in for a birdie at the par-4 18th hole during the first round of the AT&T National at Congressional. 
Defending champion Anthony Kim carded a course-record and personal-best 62 on Thursday. INSIDE THE ROPES WITH THE PGA TOUR NETWORK
PGA TOUR Network correspondent John Maginnes offers these observations from Thursday's action. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146/SIRIUS 209 or right here at PGATOUR.COM.
The defending champion picked up right where he left off a year ago at Congressional. Out early on Thursday morning, Anthony Kim shot a competitive course-record 62 with eight birdies. Starting on the back nine at 8:00 a.m., Kim's day didn't look like anything special just after breakfast. By lunchtime he had made history with nine 3s on his scorecard, including six on his second nine. He closed with a 29 on the back nine.
That number would stand up all day, as you would expect. As good as Kim's day was, his rear view mirror is quite full and includes that guy. You know that guy, who said this week that he was going to be a "greedy host". Tiger Woods matched the low round of the afternoon and has positioned himself right behind Kim with his opening-round 66.
The weather and the softness of the greens were all a factor in the incredible scores on Thursday. Partly cloudy skies and cooler than normal temperatures kept things comfortable for players and the mass of spectators alike. The forecast for the rest of the week is for more of the same, so don't be surprised if the incredible scoring continues.
| This week's Kodak Challenge hole | |
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| This week at the Kodak Challenge hole | ||||||||||||||||||
| Round-by-round statistics on the par-4 18th at Congressional | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Live Essentials | ||||
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