Anthony Kim tries to rebound

Los Angeles native Anthony Kim, 24, who won two PGA Tour tournaments in 2008 and was tabbed as the next great young American golfer, is determined to rebound after what he called a “disappointing” 2009, in which he had only three top-10 finishes after eight the year before.

Playing the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club as his first PGA Tour event this year, Kim is tied for seventh after shooting a five-under-par 66 Friday.

“What I did last year was so disappointing,” Kim said. “It really affected my confidence. I need to get out here and work as hard as I can.”

Kim’s Friday round had big highs and lows. He had eight birdies and three bogeys, but the final score was his best of eight rounds he has played at this tournament. Kim missed the cut here in 2008 and finished tied for ninth in 2007.

His overall performance last year was a step back, Kim said. “I learned quite a bit from last year,” he said. “I was hitting it so far off line. I’ve never had to hit so many irons off tees just because I was scared of hitting it in the water or out of bounds.

“When you’re making double bogeys, it’s a lot harder to control your emotions than when you’re making a lot of birdies. And in 2008 I made quite a few more birdies than I did last year.”

Kim played Friday with Steve Stricker, who is the co-leader at 10 under after a second-round 65. When describing how the course played in the rain, Kim said, “The greens were rolling well this morning and all you’ve got to do is get the ball on the green. And if you’re Steve Stricker you make everything.”

Who’s got next?

Dustin Johnson is also 10 under with two holes left of his second round. Should he go on to win, he would, at 25 years 7 months and 16 days old, be the youngest winner here in 25 years.

On the other hand, 50-year-old Fred Couples is one under and not totally out of contention after two rounds. Couples does well at Riviera. He has played the event 27 times, has won twice, finished second three times, and was tied for third last year.

Bad backs

Rocco Mediate and Jesper Parnevik withdrew during Friday’s second round because of back injuries. Mediate finished nine holes and was seven over and Parnevik was 10 over after 16 holes of his Friday round.

[email protected]

twitter.com/mepucin