Kim reins in attitude to find golf stardom

It has been said that first impressions are everything.

Adam Schriber's initial look at Anthony Kim almost 10 years ago brought a mixed reaction. Schriber was conducting a golf clinic in Kim's hometown of LaQuinta, Calif., and could not overlook Kim's overwhelming potential.

At the same time, he could not look past Kim's perceived immature attitude.

"We kind of butted heads," said Schriber, who has served as Kim's personal swing coach for the past nine years. "He was really cocky and expected to be the star. There were five really talented juniors I was working with out there, and in his mind, Anthony thought he was better than all of them. He was used to being the big shot."

Kim, 23, admits his perceived cockiness is nothing more than abundant self-confidence. It has been constantly adjusted and refined. Recently, it has been properly channeled.

Now, it is tough to dispute that Kim is an emerging big shot on the PGA Tour.

Two victories in his past five tournaments have given credence that he is living up to expectations as potentially the next great young American player.

Two years removed from the University of Oklahoma, Kim won at the Wachovia Championship in early May and again at the AT&T National two weeks ago.

"I thought (winning) was going to be easier, and I took that for granted last year, and obviously that didn't work out," he said. "The way I'm moving about it right now is working."

In spite of earning $1.5 million in his first full season last year, Kim said his play was similar to his lifestyle — unpredictable.

He admits that he wanted to get his golf in quickly so he could enjoy life away from the course.

"My game last year reflected how I was living. There were lots of double bogeys and triple bogeys, and there were quite a few birdies. But at the same time, there was no point where I just made pars and birdies and just played solid golf," he said.

"With the help of quite a few people, I turned my life around, put in some hard work, and making the right decisions off the course have led to my good play this year."

Kim recalled the difference in his preparation between this year's and last year's Wachovia Championship. In 2007, Kim played one 18-hole practice round and showed up at the course 30 minutes before his scheduled tee time each day. He tied for fifth place. This year, he was at the course at least 90 minutes before tee time, going through a physical fitness session and working on the driving range and putting green.

Kim cruised to a five-shot win.

"Finishing fifth last year, I felt that's all I had," he said. "And this year, I think what made a huge difference was the preparation for the event."

With Woods out for the year with a knee injury, Kim has emerged as a popular pick at this week's British Open and the PGA Championship next month.

Schriber is not so sure about British Open success this year. It is Kim's first time to play in the tournament, and links golf requires a different type of imagination.

But Schriber, who is based in Thompsonville, Mich., is not discounting his star pupil.

"He's got this competitive edge to him, and now he believes he can go past where he thought he could go," he said. "That cockiness he had has gone away, because he has to convince himself and others less that he can do things. He's more humble and believes he's pretty good.

"I think his best is yet to come."

Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com

2008 British Open

Site: Southport, England.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Royal Birkdale Golf Club (7,173 yards, par 70).

Purse: $8.24 million.

Winner’s share: $1,487,000.

Television: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday amd 6-8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on TNT-29. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday on KTUL-8.

The Associated Press

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Kim reins in attitude to find golf stardom

It has been said that first impressions are everything.

2008 British Open