Defending champion, Anthony Kim received the U.S. Presidential seal of approval in producing a sizzling 64 on the second day of the Shell Houston Open reports Bernie McGuire from Houston, Texas.
Kim didn’t drop a shot in a round when he had just 22 putts as fellow Texan and former U.S. President George Bush looked on.
The 41st President of the United States is a regular spectator at Redstone and he certainly enjoyed seeing Kim fight his way towards a first victory since winning the same event a year ago.
Former U.S. President George Bush looks on as Anthony Kim holds aloft 2010 Shell Houston Open trophy
“President Bush handed me the trophy last year and he actually made me a little more comfortable,” said Kim.
“But it was nice to see him out here again and following our group, as he’s a great supporter of this event and golf in general.”
In fact, Bush later this year will be inducted into the ‘Golfing Hall of Fame’ for his contribution to the ancient game.
And while Bush was pleased to see his fellow Texan again doing well, Kim’s playing partners Phil Mickelson (70) and Lee Westwood (72) also played well.
Mickelson bogeyed his opening two holes in foggy conditions that had delayed the start of play for 20 minutes but the reigning Masters champion bounced back with a 13th hole eagle and three birdies.
Westwood also struggled early in the company of the player who relegated him into second place a year ago.
The current World No. 2 was three over par for the day through nine holes but played the back nine in three under.
“Sometimes when you start struggling you have to find another way to get it around in the lowest score as possible and that comes from experience, and that’s what I showed today,” he said.
“I am starting to feel a lot more comfortable on the greens as the pace now is the quickest greens I’ve seen all year,
“But the good thing they are now what we can expect at Augusta.”
Padraig Harrington had moved to a share of the lead after eight holes but confessed to ‘falling asleep’ for three holes to take three bogeys from the 11th.
The unshaven Dubliner then awoke to eagle 17 and sign for a 69 and be well in sight of finally ending a more than two-year PGA Tour winless drought.
“When I had a birdie putt at my 10 hole to go nine under I would have hoped to push on from there but I just lost my way for a few holes,” he said.
“But it was nice to settle down a bit and make an eagle near the end.
“So after going to sleep there for a few holes it was a matter of battening down the hatches for the last couple holes and not make too many mistakes after losing my way.”
Georgian golfer Chris Kirk (69) heads the event by a shot at nine under par.
Bernie McGuire in Houston.
