BETHESDA, Md. — Anthony Kim spent his youth aching to be part of a moment like this.
As a youth, he spent hours on the practice putting green pretending to make winning putts to beat Tiger Woods in big-time tournaments.
Today, he finally has his chance.
Kim and Woods will march to the first tee at 2:20 this afternoon as the final pairing in the final round of the AT&T National hosted by Woods at Congressional Country Club, and Kim can hardly contain himself.
It’s the first time Kim has been paired with Woods in a tournament and, after they both finished tied for the lead 10-under yesterday, Kim looked as if he was about to jump out of his skin at the thought dueling it out with his idol.
“I used to practice thinking I was in the final round with Tiger, final putt, had to make a 10-footer to win the golf tournament [and] he was watching me,” Kim, who shot a 2-under 68 yesterday, said. “I was probably 9 or 10 years old when all that was happening. It was almost dark and my dad was yet to pick me up from the golf course.
“I’ve replayed a lot of those moments, but I have to actually not think about that [today]. I have to go out there and stick with my game plan instead of worrying about what could be or what is going to happen. I just have to be in the moment. . . .
“This is a day I’ve been dreaming about for a while. I told my mom and dad it would happen. Now it’s finally going to happen. I’ve won this tournament before and I don’t see why I won’t have a good opportunity [today].”
Kim, the defending champion here, has Woods’ attention.
“We all know ‘AK’ can play, he really can,” Woods said.
Woods’ reputation as a crunch-time assassin will be tested today, because, despite his remarkable record for closing he’s looked rather human at times this week and this year.
He’s 45-3 when having at least a share of the lead entering the final round and has successfully closed 14 consecutive times, dating to 2004.
Yesterday, Woods seemingly had his hands in a chokehold around the neck of the tournament and faltered, allowing the field to catch up to him.
Instead of seizing the moment — as has been the hallmark of his seemingly impenetrable reputation — Woods ran in place, shooting an even-par 70.
The pivotal moments came on Nos. 9 and 11. Woods eagled No. 9 to take a three-shot lead, but he spit it back with a double on the 11th, a hole he’s played in 4-over par through three rounds.
“The first day I drove it in the middle of the fairway and made bogey,” Woods said of No. 11. “[On Friday] I drove it in the right bunker and made bogey and [yesterday] I drove it into the left hill and made double.
“[Today] I’ll probably hit wedge off the tee, then 3-wood and 5-iron on there,” he joked.
Woods’ shaky middle of the round was no joke, however.
Usually, Woods with a three-shot lead and 27 holes to play is like Mariano Rivera with the lead and an 0-2 count with one out in the ninth.
Woods now has allowed runners in scoring position, the most threatening of which is probably Kim, who’s hell-bent on fulfilling a dream.
