Kim Shoots Course-Record 62 At Congressional

July 2, 2009 5:45 p.m. EST

Bethesda, MD (AHN) - Anthony Kim opened his title defense bid in record-smashing fashion, drilling a 62 to hold the early lead in the PGA National Thursday at Congressional Country Club.

The 24-year-old Korean-American scattered six birdies in his final nine holes for a two-stroke lead over D.A. Points and Bryce Molder.

Kim won last year's affair with a finishing 12-under 268 total. He hasn't won since after suffering shoulder and ankle injuries and even shook off a recent thumb injury to erase the tournament's previous low mark.

Nobody had scored lower than 63 since Tom Pernice and Peter Lonard shared the feat last year.

Steve Marino's 65 was the best-ever first-round score in the Tiger Woods-hosted event.

The world No. 1 trails the pace by just three shots with still three holes to play. Steve Elkington also is at 5-under after 17 holes.

Daniel Chopra and Jim Furyk opened with a 66 while four others are at 67 after the first round--Justin Rose, Boo Weekley, Michael Allen and Rod Pampling.

Kim started at the 10th hole and immediately never looked back, firing a string of eight birdies.