Kim’s bogey-free final round 65 wins AT&T National by two shots

South Korea’s Seon Hwa Lee won the LPGA Tour stop by one stroke.

Associated Press

BETHESDA, Md. — Anthony Kim is on the cusp of joining the short list of challengers to Tiger Woods, a point driven home Sunday not so much by his victory at the AT T National as the phone call he received from the tournament host.

Woods wasn’t at Congressional to present the trophy, but he surely would have appreciated Kim’s performance. After a week of mistakes that held him back, Kim shot a bogey-free round of 5-under 65 for a two-shot victory over Fredrik Jacobson.

Kim, also the Wachovia Championship winner, became the first American under 25 since Woods to win at least twice in the same year on the PGA Tour.

Kim moved up to No. 6 in the Ryder Cup standings, virtually assuring himself a spot on the American team in September. Even if he doesn’t qualify, captain Paul Azinger said he wants the hot hand, and not many are playing better than Kim.

Kim finished at 12-under 268 and earned $1.08 million, putting him at No. 5 in the FedEx Cup standings and moving him closer to cracking the top 10 in the world.

Jacobson (65) earned a trip to the British Open as the highest finisher among the top five at the AT&T National not already exempt. U.S. Open runner-up Rocco Mediate also qualified for Royal Birkdale from a special money list.

NW Arkansas Championship

ROGERS, Ark. — South Korea’s Seon Hwa Lee birdied the final hole for a one-stroke victory over Jane Park and Meena Lee in the LPGA Tour event.

Seon Hwa Lee closed with a 4-under 68 to finish at 15-under 201.

Meena Lee (70) led by a stroke before coming up short of the green on the par-3 17th. Her chip was long, and she missed from about 10 feet for a bogey.

Seon Hwa Lee, playing in the group just ahead, hit her approach on No. 18 within 3 feet, setting up a birdie that she thought would put her in a playoff.

Meena Lee had a chance to tie on 18, but missed a 15-foot birdie putt.

Jane Park shot a 62.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Open

ENDICOTT, N.Y. — Eduardo Romero won his second Champions Tour title, beating Fulton Allem and Gary Koch by a stroke.

Romero shot a 3-under 69 to finish at 17-under 199, equaling the score recorded by R.W. Eaks a year ago in the inaugural event. Romero also won the 2006 Tradition.

Local favorite Joey Sindelar (71) was within one shot of the lead entering the final hole, but his tee shot at No. 18 sailed into the right trees and he made double bogey to finish in fourth at 14-under 202.

European Open

ASH, England — Ross Fisher closed with a 4-under 68 in windy and rainy conditions for a seven-stroke victory over Sergio Garcia.

Fisher finished at 20-under 268 on The London Golf Club’s Heritage Course. Garcia shot a 66, the best round of the day.

Graeme McDowell was eight strokes back after a 73, while David Frost was another shot behind after a 71. The 48-year-old Frost earned a spot in the British Open.