Kim's course record 62 leads AT&T National

The Associated Press Anthony Kim hits from the eighth fairway during the first round of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club on Thursday in Bethesda, Md.

BETHESDA, Md. — Anthony Kim is regaining a lot of his strength and a little of his swagger. He can only hope his record start Thursday at the AT&T National will allow him to get rid of some frustration built up from a year of not winning.

Kim ran off eight birdies over his final 13 holes and set the course record at Congressional with an 8-under 62, giving him a two-shot lead over tournament host Tiger Woods and two others.

But it was enough to hold off Woods, who missed his tournament last year after having season-ending knee surgery. Woods played in the afternoon with deceptive wind swirling from trees lining the fairways. He missed only two fairways and three greens, and made enough putts for a 64, his lowest round since the 2007 Tour Championship.

Bryce Molder, who can qualify for the British Open with a strong week at Congressional, hit a 3-wood to 4 feet on the par-3 second hole and escaped trouble a few times on the back nine to join a group at 64 that also included D.A. Points.

YARBROUGH AMONG NOMINEES
CHARLOTTE — Timmonsville native Cale Yarbrough is among the racing giants ranging from Bill France Sr. and Junior Johnson to Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt who are among the 25 nominees for NASCAR’s first Hall of Fame class.

The announcement Thursday night comes 10 months before the Hall of Fame’s scheduled opening in downtown Charlotte. An inaugural class of five will be chosen from the group that includes the bootleggers who helped create the sport to the drivers, owners and officials who made it popular.

NASCAR patriarch France and his son, Bill France Jr., were among the candidates selected by a 21-member panel. The drivers include Petty, Earnhardt, Johnson, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, and Glenn “Fireball” Roberts.

Car owners are represented, too, including Bud Moore, Raymond Parks, Rick Hendrick, Richard Childress and Glen Wood.

TRIO SHARES FARR LEAD
SYLVANIA, Ohio — Morgan Pressel, Song-Hee Kim and Laura Diaz made the most of the defending champion’s absence at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic.

Each shot a 7-under 64 after Paula Creamer withdrew because of a thumb injury, taking a one-shot lead over Michelle Wie and Suzann Pettersen after Thursday’s opening round at Highland Meadows.

CUBS ACQUIRE BAKER
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have acquired infielder Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies for minor league right-handed pitcher Al Alburquerque and designated infielder Ryan Freel for assignment.

Baker, a former Clemson standout, was activated off the Rockies’ 60-day disabled list and was to join the Cubs for their Thursday night game at Wrigley Field against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Baker batted .268 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 104 games last year for the Rockies and can play several infield positions and the outfield. He’s played only 12 games this season because of a sprained left hand that sent him to the disabled list April 29.

Baker is a career .257 hitter over five major league seasons with 22 homers and 88 RBIs.

WOFFORD, ASU ON 3 TIMES
SPARTANBURG — Defending Southern Conference champion Appalachian State will make three TV appearances on the league’s football telecast schedule this fall.

The Mountaineers lost in the second round of last season’s Football Championship Subdivision playoffs as they tried to win their fourth consecutive national title. Appalachian State games at Wofford on Oct. 17, against Georgia Southern a week later and at Elon on Nov. 14 will air on SportsSouth.

There will be eight league games televised this fall. The broadcast schedule starts Sept. 19 with Western Carolina at Georgia Southern. It resumes Oct. 3 with Elon at Furman.

Wofford also makes three TV appearances this fall. Elon, Furman and Georgia Southern will each play twice on television.

LEYRITZ ARRESTED
DAVIE, Fla. — Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz was arrested Thursday in South Florida on charges of domestic battery against his ex-wife, just two months before his trial on a DUI manslaughter charge was set to begin.

Leyritz, 45, was arrested at his home in Davie, a Fort Lauderdale suburb, a police report said. He was being held in the Broward County Jail.

Leyritz’s ex-wife, Karrie, gave conflicting reports of what happened, according to a police officer who responded to a domestic disturbance at the house. She first told police they were arguing over child support when he struck her twice in the face and pushed her to the ground for writing a check without his permission. She later said her ex-husband dragged her out of bed and pushed her against the wall.

PLAYER FINED FOR TRIBUTE
TORONTO — The Canadian Football League fined Toronto Argonauts receiver Arland Bruce for “excessive actions” during his tribute to Michael Jackson after scoring a touchdown.

Bruce was fined an undisclosed amount, the CFL announced Thursday.

After scoring on a 21-yard pass that put Toronto ahead 6-0, Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top, then laid down in the end zone. Bruce said he was honoring the memory of Jackson by pretending to be buried.

BEES STOP GAME
SAN DIEGO — Talk about adding a late-inning buzz to a ballgame.

Thursday’s game between the Houston Astros and San Diego Padres was delayed for 52 minutes in the top of the ninth inning Thursday when a swarm of bees took over part of left field at Petco Park.

A beekeeper was called the downtown ballpark and sprayed a chair and a ballgirl’s jacket that had attracted the bees.

“The umpires made the right call to stop the game,” Padres president Tom Garfinkel said. “There’s a couple thousand bees there. If they decide to swarm on a person, whether that’s a person, an employer or a fan, we could have a real situation.”