American Anthony Kim has fired a 5-under-par final round of 65 to win the AT&T National golf tournament in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. by two strokes.  VOA's Jim Stevenson has more from Congressional Country Club where Kim becomes the first American under age 25 since world number one Tiger Woods to win two U.S. PGA Tour titles in one year.

Anthony Kim, 06 Jul 2008

The 23-year-old Kim started play Sunday tied for sixth place.  But on a cloudy, humid day, Kim fired consecutive birdies to overcome a three-shot deficit.

Kim had a four-shot lead before Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden made a charge that fell short.  Kim finished the course that will host the 2011 U.S. Open at 12-under-par, 268.  Jacobson shot a 65 to take second place at 270, while six men tied for third place another shot back.

Kim won the Wachovia Championship earlier this year at Quail Hollow, and says the traditional style course apparently fit his style.

"I know I am playing quite well right now," said Anthony Kim. "And I am thinking well.  It seems [my win at] Wachovia and the AT&T here, you had to think your way around the golf course instead of just bombing it and gouge and try to wedge it up there and make a lot of birdies.  It was more of a strategic golf course.  And I seem to pretty well at those."

Anthony Kim holds up his AT&T National trophy, 06 Jul 2008

Tiger Woods is the tournament host.  But he remained at home in Orlando, Florida, as he recovers from season-ending knee surgery.  Kim turned professional in 2006 and has drawn some comparisons to a younger Tiger Woods.  But Kim says he was increasingly not happy with his results and decided to change his poor work ethic and habits.

"I love the feeling of competing and being in the hunt," said Kim. "I love the little butterflies you get in your stomach.  And that is why I play the game.  So I do not know what changed.  But I realized that if I did not work hard and put in the hours, I was not going to reap the benefits."

Kim has now won twice in five starts.  He will rest next week before he tees off in the British Open at Royal Birkdale.