Kim scores second win of 2008 at AT&T
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2008 AT&T National | Round Four | 07 Jul 2008
Anthony Kim further confirmed his growing star status on the PGA Tour when he won the AT&T National at the Congressional Country Club in Maryland today.
Kim’s last round of 65 was enough for him to move from a share of 6th place overnight to a two shot victory, his second title in just over two months. Kim won the Wachovia Championship in late April and also finished runner up at the Verizon Championship and third at the Bob Hope earlier in the year.
This victory and the subsequent US$1,080,000 will move the 23-year-old to 5th place on the money list. Currently 20th in the world rankings, this victory should move Kim close to the top ten, which given his 74th position at the start of the year indicates just how far he has come in 2008.
Both Kim and runner up Frederik Jacobson recorded final rounds of 65 to edge ahead of a large group of six at 9 under in third place. Three of those six players were Australians. Rod Pampling, Nick O’Hern and Robert Allenby will each earn US$256,000 for their share of third with Jim Furyk, Dean Wilson and Tommy Armour III.
Pampling’s finish was spectacular. Struggling at five under and going nowhere when he reached the par four 15th, Pampling, as had his fellow countryman Peter Lonard earlier in the day, holed his uphill approach at the 15th for eagle and then birdied the 17th and 18th to move from outside the top 20 to a share of third.
For O’Hern it was an important week as it moves him past the point of concern regarding his playing rights in the US next season and past US$1 million in 2008.
Peter Lonard continued his steady progress following his return from back injury with a final round equal course record of 63 to share 12th and take his earnings past US$1 million this season and John Senden turned around some rather ordinary recent form when 18th.
Tim Wilkinson was 54th, Stuart Appleby 60th, Gavin Coles and Stephen Leaney 63rd and Matt Jones 79th after failing to survive the 54 hole cut.
The PGA Tour’s next event is the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.
