Steady And Less Flamboyant Kim Bolts To Take 4-Shot Lead At Wachovia Championship

Charlotte, N.C. (AHN) - The composed and reserved Anthony Kim is closing in on his first PGA Tour victory shooting a 6-under 66 Saturday to take a four shot lead over second-round leader Jason Bohn and Heath Slocum after the third round Saturday in the Wachovia Championship.

Kim, a month shy of celebrating his 23rd birthday, is poised to join Quail Hollow Club's elite group of winners including Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and defending champion Tiger Woods, after carding a 13-under 203 total on the Quail Hollow Club course. Woods is currently recuperating following a surgery on his left knee.

Kim passed second-round leader and playing partner Bohn after the ninth when he buried a 9-foot birdie putt. Later, he added another birdie on the 14th hole and cruised through the though closing stretch of Quail Hollow for his best round finish. Earlier in the round, the player known for his signature shinny belt buckle with his initials on it employed a different tack in making the third hole - instead of being satisfied of a low-percentage shot to reach the green, he made a short punch out on the third.

"Six months ago I would tried to go for it, and there was double or triple bogey written all over that," Kim told the Associated Press. "I chipped out, saved par, and that kept my round going. Little things like that have added to some good play."

Bohn, on the other hand, bounced back with a chip-in for par on the 18th for a 72 which tied him with Slocum at second spot. Bohn will be paired with Stewart Cink, who is tied with Dudley Hart with 70 at 8-under, while Slocum who shot 68 will be play with Kim on Sunday.

Geoff Ogilvy who shot 69 together with 2006 Wachovia champion Jim Furyk with 71 trails Cink and Hart at 7 under. Ranked no. 2 Phil Mickelson is eight shots back despite a 69 at 5 under following Kim's strong finish.