Golf: Defending champ leads AT&T

The Associated Press

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BETHESDA, Md. -- Anthony Kim is regaining a lot of his strength and a little of his swagger. He can only hope his record start Thursday at the AT&T National will allow him to get rid of some frustration built up from a year of not winning.

Kim ran off eight birdies over his final 13 holes and set the course record at Congressional with an 8-under 62, giving him a two-shot lead over tournament host Tiger Woods, Bryce Molder and D.A. Points.

The 24-year-old Kim 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 wasn't enough.

But it was enough to hold off Woods, who missed this tournament last year after having season-ending knee surgery. Woods played in the afternoon with deceptive wind swirling from trees lining the fairways.

Woods missed only two fairways and three greens, and made enough putts for a 64, his lowest round since the 2007 Tour Championship.

LPGA, at Sylvania, Ohio -- Morgan Pressel, Song-Hee Kim and Laura Diaz made the most of the defending champion's absence at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.

Each shot a 7-under 64 after Paula Creamer withdrew, taking a one-shot lead over Michelle Wie and Suzann Pettersen after the opening round at Highland Meadows.

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.

Pressel was second at the Farr two years ago, finishing behind five-time winner Se Ri Pak. She didn't have a bogey and birdied four holes in a row late in Thursday's round.

EUROPEAN PGA, at Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, France -- Germany's Martin Kaymer matched the course record with a 9-under 62 to take a three-stroke lead in the French Open.