U.S. Open Notebook
Kim's Wins Don't Mean Much at Open
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
FARMINGDALE, N.Y., June 16 -- Anthony Kim is making just his third appearance at the U.S. Open this week, but it would seem to make sense that he would draw some measure of confidence coming into the event at Bethpage Black because he won the AT&T National last summer at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, which hosted the Open in 1964 and 1997.
Is that too much of a stretch, given that the setup last July for the AT&T National wasn't as difficult as one devised by the United States Golf Association?
"I didn't even know that Congressional held the Open," Kim said.
Given his 24th birthday isn't until Friday, and he was a basketball-obsessed 12-year-old when Ernie Els won the 1997 Open title at Congressional, perhaps that's expected. But he must have thoughts on the 2011 Open being at Congressional. Uh, no. Didn't know that either.
"Now it gives me a little more confidence going into the week, so thank you," Kim said. "I'm excited to hear that, because the course set up well for my eye."
Kim, who won twice on tour last year, has missed the cut in two of his last four tournaments.
García Back at Bethpage
The last time the Open was played at Bethpage, in 2002, Sergio García trailed only Tiger Woods entering the final round. It is now 10 years since García burst onto the scene in a memorable duel with Woods in the PGA Championship at Medinah.
And still, at age 29, García has not won a major championship.
"I think we're all surprised that he hasn't yet," Woods said. "He's had his chances."
Now, García returns to Bethpage, where he had a tumultuous relationship with the fans seven years ago.
García called the 2002 U.S. Open "a good experience. I played well. I actually had a decent chance at winning this championship. So I'm looking forward to doing the same." . . .
Phil Mickelson went from Memphis, where he played in the St. Jude Classic over the weekend, back home to California to be with his wife, Amy, who recently had breast cancer diagnosed. He is scheduled to address the media at 8 a.m. Wednesday and then play his only practice round of the week at Bethpage. Mickelson played one practice round here last week.
