S. Korea, March 8 - Anthony Kim served notice he is running into top form ahead of next month’s Ballantine’s Championship in Korea with an excellent finish in the Honda Classic on Sunday.

The American superstar compiled an impressive three-under-par 67 in the final round at PGA National in Palm Beach, Florida to claim second place behind winner Camilo Villegas.

It was Kim’s best finish on the PGA Tour since tying for second at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship in 2009.

“It was a good week,” said Kim. “I'm excited with the progress and obviously I want to play well every week. I'm playing well, I'm thinking well, I have a good attitude and hopefully I can keep practising hard and keep improving.

“I know I'm putting in the time, and good golf will come, because I know it that I have the ability to do it. It's just a matter of going out and doing it now.”

Kim, born in California to Korean parents who immigrated to the US, will return to his ancestral homeland when he appears in the Ballantine’s Championship.

He will be joined in the €2.2 million showpiece by Korean hero Yang Yong Eun, who became Asia’s first ever Major winner when he captured the PGA Championship last year.
 

Also confirmed for the event are three-time Major winner Ernie Els, world No.10 Henrik Stenson, European Tour legend Miguel Angel Jiménez and the tournament’s 2008 champion, Graeme McDowell.

The third edition of the Ballantine’s Championship will be held from 22-25 April, once again at Pinx Golf Club on the holiday island of Jeju.

Kim, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, was delighted with his week’s work at the Honda Classic.

He fought back from a difficult third round with an improved outing on Sunday, leaving English pair Justin Rose and Paul Casey and three-time Major winner Vijay Singh of Fiji trailing in his wake – although there was no catching Colombia’s Villegas, who finished five shots clear.

“My attitude's a lot better [than last year],” said Kim. “On Saturday I wanted to break every club in the bag, but then I wouldn't have had a set to play with today, so I'm glad that I didn't!

“I just try to keep a positive attitude, and once that happens, I'm going to play good golf. I hung in there today. I still haven't put four good rounds together but I'm trying as hard as I can to get there. I'm working on the right things and I'm sure it will come.

“You’ve got to put things in perspective. Unfortunately last year I was injured and had to deal with some bad golf, a bad attitude and lack of practice.”

Kim appeared at the inaugural Ballantine’s Championship two years ago – his first playing appearance in Korea – and proved a big hit with fans on his way to finishing joint fifth.
 

He feels he is running into form ahead of his return to Jeju. “If I keep hitting it this good, it's going to be great for my game. I'm reading the greens real well,” he said.

“My caddie and I are doing a good job of reading the grain, and that's the first thing that you have to look at. If we can just keep a level head out there and stay happy, we'll be just fine.”
 

Courtesy of Parallel Media Group