Kim Giving Chase at Quail Hollow

CHARLOTTE, N. C. -- Anthony Kim, seen by pretty much everyone in golf as an uberstar in waiting, has been busy lately living up to many of the lofty expectations.

In his third PGA Tour season Kim, already a three-time Tour winner, is currently riding a month-long hot streak that includes a victory at Houston and a third-place finish at the Masters.

There's also this week's Quail Hollow Championship, where, after Saturday's third-round 70, he's 5-under and tied for seventh place, four shots back of leader Billy Mayfair's pacesetting 9-under. Five players are between Kim and the leader -- Phil Mickelson (71) and Davis Love III (68) two shots back at 7-under, followed by J.J. Henry, Dustin Johnson and Angel Cabrera trailing by three.

"Obviously, I've got to shoot something pretty silly low, because Phil's up there and Billy is playing well," Kim said. "It's going to be a trek, but I can play good out here."

Kim has been proving he can play good golf pretty much anywhere. And his recent strong performances not only suggest the fulfillment of all those headliner projections, they have Kim openly talking about qualifying for his first U.S. Ryder Cup team: "A huge goal of mine."

With five months remaining until this year's matches are played in Wales, he's second behind only Mickelson on the American points list that automatically qualifies eight players.

So, with every tournament week of success serving as another deposit into a growing savings account, all Kim has to do is decide when to disappear for three months and almost certainly freefall down the points list.

"It's going to happen, it's just a matter of when," Kim said. "The doctor has told me when the pain gets too hard to deal with, that's when I should do it. But as of now, he said it can't get any worse, so I guess that's the good thing. I'm just going to keep playing until I can't anymore."

As dilemmas go, Kim has a dandy.

While he may be playing some of his absolute best golf, he's doing it with a painful left thumb. A ligament has pulled off the bone and needs surgery. For over a year he has played anyway, but lately it has started to become more of a factor.

"It bothers me on some swings, but when you're making birdies, it doesn't hurt as bad," he said. "And then when you make a bogey, it tingles a little bit more.

"So I'm just trying to stay on an even keel as far as my attitude. And once I get done, I just ice it and take some Advil and just try to get through another round."

The gamble, of course, is that if the pain continues to build, Kim's game will ultimately pay the price. But to give up three months -- probably at least two major championships where Ryder Cup points are doubled -- would severely impact Kim's chances for a place on the U.S. team.

There's also the worry of toughing out the season, only to be playing absolutely miserable by October's Ryder Cup matches.

What's a golfer to do?
"I want to play in the Ryder Cup. I'm dreaming about being on that team, so I want to be healthy for that. But at the same time, I want to play in all the majors, too. So there's not really a good time to take off."
- Anthony Kim
"I want to play in the Ryder Cup," he said. "I'm dreaming about being on that team, so I want to be healthy for that.

"But at the same time, I want to play in all the majors, too. So there's not really a good time to take off."

Meanwhile, he'll just try to keep collecting points and build the best cushion as possible -- because he'll get little sympathy from the competition.

Mayfair, who shot a 1-under 70 to hold the lead, is winless since 1998. The 43-year-old veteran does not even have full exempt status, and had to earn his place in this week's field through Monday qualifying.

"Well, I'm trying not to think about it obviously," Mayfair said. "I've still got a lot of golf left with a lot of great players behind me. Obviously it's no fun not being exempt."

Love has his problems, too. He has only one victory in four years. And Henry? He's hoping for the second victory in a 10-year Tour career.

"In position really with nothing to lose, too," Henry said. "It's not like I'm going to be sleeping on the lead. I like my spot."

Then there's Mickelson, the people's choice, who's coming off his Masters victory and could make a move at replacing Tiger Woods as the world's No. 1 player.

He played Saturday's round with four birdies, three bogeys and an endless roar of support.

"I didn't have it today," Mickelson said. "I didn't have great control over my ball-striking and missed a number of putts that I could have made. But I controlled the misses. I kept the round in check, and because of the difficult conditions, was able to shoot a number that kept me in contention. So I'm excited about my opportunities."

The key is not letting them go to waste.

That's what everybody says.