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Kim Builds 4-Shot Lead At Tour Championship

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By DOUG FERGUSON

The Associated Press

Published: September 26, 2008

ATLANTA - Four days after Anthony Kim humbled Sergio Garcia in the Ryder Cup, he beat 29 players just as badly Thursday at the Tour Championship.

Showing no effects of a Ryder Cup hangover, Kim fired off eight birdies on his way to a 6-under 64 in his Tour Championship debut to build a four-shot lead against Masters champion Trevor Immelman, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.

Kim and the other nine Americans from the winning team rarely got through a hole without hearing someone in the gallery congratulate them on their 16 1/2 -11 1/2 victory against Europe on Sunday. Kim was smiling just as wide as he did Thursday.

"I feel like when I'm happy, having a good time, I'm going to make some birdies," he said. "So it was a good vibe out there."
Vijay Singh wasn't feeling it.

He only has to complete all four rounds at East Lake to capture the FedEx Cup, and that might have been the best part of his opening round at East Lake - he finished. But he started poorly, 5 over through 11 holes, before settling for a 73.

Kenny Perry, the Kentucky hero from the Ryder Cup, also found little reason to smile. He opened with a 76, and while that won't take away from his memories of red, white and blue, what irritated him was a pink slip.

It was his summons for drug testing, the second of the year for the 48-year-old Perry.

Good thing the 23-year-old Kim had four days to try to get the Ryder Cup out of his system. He was the life of the party Sunday night, especially after his 5 and 4 victory against Garcia in which Kim made birdie or better on six of his 14 holes.

"Just trying to enjoy the moment," he said. "This Ryder Cup hangover doesn't feel as bad as a college hangover."

As well as he played at the Ryder Cup on a Valhalla course with soft greens and minimal rough, Kim was equally spectacular on an East Lake course that was as tough as ever.

K.J. Choi was alone in fifth at 1-under 69.

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