Updated on Friday, July 03, 2009, 09:17 IST

New York, July 03: Holder Anthony Kim fired a course-record, eight-under-par 62 to set the early pace in the first round of the USD 6 million AT&T National at Congressional Country Club.

The 24-year-old registered eight birdies to hold a two-shot lead over fellow American DA Points.

World number one Tiger Woods, the tournament host, was two under after six holes.

"This golf course fits my eye and when I hit it wide I seem to get lucky out here," Kim told reporters after taking advantage of ideal scoring conditions.

"I love coming back to a course I have good feelings about and obviously playing well last year helped. I'm starting to see the break on these greens pretty well."

Tied for third on 66 at the 7,255-yard course were American Jim Furyk and Swede Daniel Chopra.

Americans Boo Weekley and Michael Allen and Britain's Justin Rose were a further stroke adrift.

"The greens were good this morning but because of how soft they are and how wet they are, they're going to get beat up with footprints and all kinds of traffic," said Furyk.

"We'll have to deal with that tomorrow."

Kim, who tied for 16th at last month's US Open, reeled off six birdies in a back-nine 29.

"I just focused on the shot I was hitting at the time," he said. "I just stepped up to the tee and said 'this is what I've got to do with this shot' and moved on from there."

Bureau Report