Kim gets chance to show Tiger what both are made of

BETHESDA, Md. -- A year ago, Anthony Kim came to the Washington suburbs, won Tiger Woods' signature golf tournament (without an injured Woods in the field) and told everyone it was about time some of the younger players on the PGA Tour began to play well enough to consistently put some serious heat on the No. 1 player in the world.

"People are looking and hoping to find the guy that's going to challenge him," Kim said that week. "It's time for the younger guys to step up and make a statement. I've got to win about 13 more majors for me to worry Tiger. I'm sure he wants to have people to step up and see what he's made of."

Anthony Kim posts a 2-under 68 in the third round to gain a share of the lead. (US Presswire)

Kim has never had a better finish than Woods when they have been in the same event since Kim joined the tour in 2006, and he would like to think their Sunday pairing will be the first of many over the next few years. Clearly, preliminary statement time is upon him.

•  Kim, Tiger tied at 10 under | Leaderboard

Kim said as a little boy waiting for his father to pick him up at the local municipal golf course, he used to practice 10-foot putts in the dark pretending he needed to sink them to beat Woods for a major championship title.

"I made a lot of them," he said with a smile. "I’m excited for the opportunity. Not too many chances to play against the best player in the world at his golf tournament. I won this before, I don't see why I can't have the opportunity tomorrow. I'd love to play great tomorrow."

In the third round Saturday, Woods was having a delightful time when he took an early three-shot lead with a majestic eagle at the 602-yard ninth hole -- hitting a 366-yard tee shot and sinking a 25-foot putt. But a double bogey at the 489-yard 11th hole, the toughest on the course, when a poor bunker shot and a missed six-foot putt brought him right back to the field. He had one more birdie on his card and finished with a disappointing round of even-par 70 to Kim's 68.

The trailing pack includes 50-year-old Michael Allen, in with a 65 and tied with Cameron Beckman (66) a shot off the pace at 9-under 201. Allen has never won on the PGA Tour and surely, like everyone else, knows full well that Woods is the most ruthless closer in the history of professional golf. Since he turned professional in 1996, he has won 44 of 47 PGA Tour events when he has either been tied for the lead or held it outright after the third round, including 14 of 14 in major championships. Worldwide, he's 48 out of 54.

"There's nothing wrong with stats, it's just reiterating what he's done and telling the truth," said Jim Furyk, now tied for fifth and two off the lead, after Woods had opened a one-shot lead after 36 holes Friday. Woods has won 30 of 36 when he has tied or shared first place going into the final two rounds. "We all know he's tough to get the lead from when he gets out in front, and he's playing real well right now."

So is Golden Oldie Allen. In May, the definition of a classic journeyman won the Senior PGA Championship, a major on the Champions Tour, in his debut as a 50-and-over golfer. On this Independence Day of gentle breezes and mild summer heat, Allen finished off his front nine with four straight birdies and said afterward, "I guess I'm aging well. I happen to be playing better as I get older."

Allen turned pro in 1984, when Woods was celebrating his eighth birthday. Still, despite three rounds in the 60s this week, he can hardly be expected to strike much fear in all-grown-up Woods or anyone else Sunday, considering that until he won the Senior PGA at Canterbury in Ohio, he had played in 334 PGA Tour events and had never won. This week is No. 337.

He got so discouraged with the state of his game in the mid-1990s he became a teaching professional at Winged Foot in the New York suburbs and dabbled in home construction before resuming his playing career. He got onto the Champions Tour only with a special invitation from the PGA of America, then joined Arnold Palmer as the only two men ever to win the tournament in their seniors debut. But he's still playing most of his events on the regular tour this year.

"That’s always been my goal until I really feel like I can’t play out here," Allen said. "I want to compete against the best players in the world, and this is where they're at, where I like playing ... I guess I'm overcoming the fear of losing now."

If Allen can keep up his splendid play and somehow manage to prevail, it would be a thoroughly improbable story at this venerable old venue that has hosted three major championships, with a fourth scheduled in 2011 when the U.S. Open comes back to town.

But the big story seems far more likely to come out of the final group, when Woods and Kim, now ranked No. 15 in the world and winless since this event a year ago, go head-to-head for the first time. Kim sounded as if he was ready to jump out of his skin Saturday night just thinking about that prospect.

"I expect him to be wearing a red shirt and he'll be out there ready to go," Kim said. "I'l be ready as well. I'll probably wear blue, my favorite color."

Said a far-more laid-back Woods, "as of right now, I’m just looking forward to taking the family and watching the fireworks tonight. I usually don't get fired up until tomorrow morning. No sense wasting energy."

Leonard Shapiro can be reached at Badgerlen@aol.com.