Opening round bugs Kim

Aug 21, 2008 - 11:33 PM By Simon Lewis PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PARAMUS, New Jersey (Ticker) - Anthony Kim knew Ridgewood Country Club was a tough golf course but the young American had not accounted for an attack by bees during the opening round at The Barclays on Thursday.

Kim, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year, shot a 1-under-par 70 in a first round interrupted by a bee or wasp sting and a less-than-welcome reaction to an antihistamine tablet.

"I don't know what it was," Kim said. "It was weird because I had two bees in my pants three holes later.

"You know, it was rough out there. When the bees are attacking you, the course is hard enough, but when the bees start getting you, you're in trouble."

Kim had opened strongly with three birdies on his front nine before carding three bogeys and a birdie on his inward nine.

"That's one of the toughest rounds I've ever played," he said. "Every hole was behind 18 trees so I was just trying to shoot the ball into the fairway where I got a clean look at the hole."

Kim also had to seek the advice of paramedics on course when he felt an adverse reaction to some medication.

"I just felt a little lethargic out there," he said. "It was just I had some good momentum going and felt like things were turning around for me.

"Unfortunately I couldn't finish it off but hopefully I can work on that on the range and maybe get back for tomorrow."