Self-Scolding And Birdie Streak Push Kim Into Colonial Lead

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ Whatever Anthony Kim said to himself made quite an impact. <br/><br/>After his self-scolding session walking off the No. 12 green with a bogey, Kim birdied the last six holes _

Thursday, May 24th 2007, 5:35 pm

By: News On 6

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) _ Whatever Anthony Kim said to himself made quite an impact.

After his self-scolding session walking off the No. 12 green with a bogey, Kim birdied the last six holes _ the longest birdie streak on the PGA Tour this season _ to finish a round of 7-under 63 and take a one-stroke lead Thursday in the uncompleted first round at the Colonial.

``I gave myself quite a talking to, probably stuff I shouldn't be saying,'' said Kim, the 21-year-old Tour rookie.

Kim, a former Oklahoma standout, was among 57 players _ exactly half of the 114-player field _ that finished Thursday before an afternoon thunderstorm flooded the course. Play never resumed after the second weather suspension of the day, and the first round for the rest of the field will resume Friday morning.

Ted Purdy, at 7 under before a bogey on his 16th hole, and Jeff Maggert completed rounds of 64. Nathan Green and Jeff Quinney were together in the first group and shot 65, as did Peter Lonard.

Frank Lickliter was 5 under through eight holes _ with six birdies and a bogey _ when play was suspended the second time. Kevin Na, paired with Lickliter, was 4 under with five birdies and a bogey.

Kim was 1 under after his bogey at the 417-yard 12th hole. He missed the fairway with his drive, came up short of the green on his approach and pushed a 7-foot par putt past the hole.

After Kim finished talking to himself, he hit his tee shot at the 171-yard 13th hole inside 4 feet. His birdie putt at the 448-yard 14th hole was even shorter before the first suspension of play because of weather.

There was a delay of 1 hour, 22 minutes before Kim went out and finished his round with four more birdies _ all ranging from nine to 17 feet _ then tried to explain the round-ending surge.

``There really wasn't one thing. Usually when something turns around during a round you can tell. I don't know what it was,'' he said. ``Maybe it was taking the head cover off finally and putting it, or opening my eyes. Something changed, and I don't really know what it was.''