Anthony Kim Leads AT&T National, Tiger Woods 2 Shots Back

Anthony Kim, the defending champion at the AT&T National, was off early this morning. And by the time tournament host Tiger Woods was starting his round, Kim had signed for an 8-under 62, a Congressional Country Club course record.

But Woods, who, according to the media, is either winning or in a slump, looked primed to do the former after a near-flawless round. Woods went out in 31, carding four birdies. He added three more on the back. And if not for a bogey on the par-4 11th, he would be alone in second place, one shot behind Kim.

Earlier this week, Tiger admitted that his putting kept him from making a legit run at the U.S. Open two weeks ago. If he putted at Bethpage like he did today, he might have won by 10 strokes.

Kim shot 29-33 on the course that will host the 2011 U.S. Open, although that venue will look nothing like what the players see this week. The 24-year-old Californian won twice on tour last year, but has struggled at times in 2009. He has made 10 of 13 cuts, has just one top 10 (T2 at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship), but has been playing better recently, T11 at last week's Travelers, and T16 at the U.S. Open the week before that.

As for the rest of the field, Bryce Molder and D.A. Points are also T2 at 6-under, '09 Open champ Lucas Glover is 1-under, and Will MacKenzie brings up the rear (solo 119th!) with an 8-over 78, just ahead of PGA Tour regulars Brett Quigley and K.J. Choi.