Kim: I'm here to win

Anthony Kim says victory is the only thing on his mind at the Augusta National this week

World number 14 Anthony Kim says he is ready to make his Masters debut and that he only turns up to a golf tournament “expecting to win”.

The American, who won twice on the PGA Tour last season, has endured a mixed start to the 2009 campaign and has struggled with a lapse in form as well as injuries. But at 23, Kim believes his Masters debut has come at the perfect time and is confident of a good performance at Augusta national this week, saying: “I am very excited to be here and have waited a long time to get a tee time at Augusta. I have watched this tournament on TV, but that really does not do the course any justice.

“You see people chipping into bunkers and you think that can’t be right. But then you come here and you see the greens for yourself.”

Kim admitted that he did not expect the conditions to be as windy, especially after the weekend of strong swirls and postponements at the Shell Houston Open. “It was windy out there. It really swirled off the trees. But it was just so special to get here this morning. Going through the gates with my parents, that was such a special moment.”

Kim had planned to play a practice round at Augusta some weeks ago, but had to postpone his round due to heavy rain. “I came here after Doral,” he added. “I stayed the night in my hotel, woke up in the morning and it was raining. I ended up just going straight to the airport."

When asked what would constitute a good week for him on his Masters debut, Kim claimed there was only one outcome on his mind: “I hate to say it this way, but you don't come to a golf tournament without feeling like you're here to win a golf tournament.

“I know that if I didn't feel that way, I wouldn't be here. With that being said, there are so many other guys that have played here that have had great careers, and who have never won here. But I'm here to win the golf tournament, and I'll do my best.”

Alex Narey
Content Editor

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.