8:12AM
Newsday: Kim and Barnes bring a California flavor
8:12 AM
By Art Spander
Special to Newsday
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- They embody California cool, Ricky Barnes in his painter's hat, Anthony Kim with his jeweled belt buckles, a couple of kids from the Golden State with golden swings, one who has lived up to expectations, another who has not.
Kim, who grew up in Los Angeles, has three wins on Tour, one of those coming Sunday at Houston. For a couple of years, he's been called the next challenger to Tiger Woods.
Barnes, from Stockton, south of Sacramento, won a U.S. Amateur in 2002 but seemed trapped on the minor-league Nationwide Tour until his breakthrough last June, when at Bethpage he led the U.S. Open and finished second, which lifted him to the regular Tour.
The 29-year-old Barnes (70) and 24-year-old Kim (70) are among the five players at 6-under-par 138, tied for third after Friday's second round of the Masters.
For Kim, in his second Masters -- he finished 20th last year -- it's not a surprise. For Barnes, also in his second -- he was 21st in '03, qualifying off the Amateur victory -- it could be considered a surprise.
"But I think my last major I played in got me ready,'' Barnes said, referring to Bethpage. "[The finish] didn't get me in the British [Open] or PGA last year. So I was looking forward to coming here and playing well. I've put myself in a good spot after the first two rounds.''
When you have the same score as Tiger Woods, it's hardly a bad spot.
Kim had a reputation as a mischievous kid at the University of Oklahoma, arguing with the coach and then after turning pro spending more time at parties than at the practice tee. But those troubles seem to have mellowed with age. Now it's a torn thumb ligament that's the trouble, something he'll have surgically repaired next week.
Before last October's Presidents Cup in San Francisco, Robert Allenby, the Australian and a member of the opposing International team, accused Kim of staying out late and having a good time before their singles match. It was a strange confrontation, but Kim eventually apologized. And won the match.
"I'm very happy with where I am right now,'' Kim said. "I've just got to get my driver straightened out. You never can hit too many fairways.''
Barnes in the past has been limited by his temper, which he has managed to keep under control recently. "I'm fiery,'' he conceded. "Don't get me wrong, but I've been working really hard on that the last two years. It's gotten me in trouble, but I know my game's good enough that if I have a bad hole, I can bounce back.''
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http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/kim-and-barnes-bring-a-california-flavor-1.1855211
Copyright © 2010 Newsday. All rights reserved.
Special to Newsday
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- They embody California cool, Ricky Barnes in his painter's hat, Anthony Kim with his jeweled belt buckles, a couple of kids from the Golden State with golden swings, one who has lived up to expectations, another who has not.
Kim, who grew up in Los Angeles, has three wins on Tour, one of those coming Sunday at Houston. For a couple of years, he's been called the next challenger to Tiger Woods.
Barnes, from Stockton, south of Sacramento, won a U.S. Amateur in 2002 but seemed trapped on the minor-league Nationwide Tour until his breakthrough last June, when at Bethpage he led the U.S. Open and finished second, which lifted him to the regular Tour.
The 29-year-old Barnes (70) and 24-year-old Kim (70) are among the five players at 6-under-par 138, tied for third after Friday's second round of the Masters.
For Kim, in his second Masters -- he finished 20th last year -- it's not a surprise. For Barnes, also in his second -- he was 21st in '03, qualifying off the Amateur victory -- it could be considered a surprise.
"But I think my last major I played in got me ready,'' Barnes said, referring to Bethpage. "[The finish] didn't get me in the British [Open] or PGA last year. So I was looking forward to coming here and playing well. I've put myself in a good spot after the first two rounds.''
When you have the same score as Tiger Woods, it's hardly a bad spot.
Kim had a reputation as a mischievous kid at the University of Oklahoma, arguing with the coach and then after turning pro spending more time at parties than at the practice tee. But those troubles seem to have mellowed with age. Now it's a torn thumb ligament that's the trouble, something he'll have surgically repaired next week.
Before last October's Presidents Cup in San Francisco, Robert Allenby, the Australian and a member of the opposing International team, accused Kim of staying out late and having a good time before their singles match. It was a strange confrontation, but Kim eventually apologized. And won the match.
"I'm very happy with where I am right now,'' Kim said. "I've just got to get my driver straightened out. You never can hit too many fairways.''
Barnes in the past has been limited by his temper, which he has managed to keep under control recently. "I'm fiery,'' he conceded. "Don't get me wrong, but I've been working really hard on that the last two years. It's gotten me in trouble, but I know my game's good enough that if I have a bad hole, I can bounce back.''
- - - - - -
http://www.newsday.com/sports/golf/kim-and-barnes-bring-a-california-flavor-1.1855211
Copyright © 2010 Newsday. All rights reserved.