Anthony Kim is regaining a lot of his strength and a little of his swagger. He can only hope his record start yesterday at the AT&T National in Bethesda, Md., 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.

The 24-year-old Kim has not won since his victory in the AT&T National last year, slowed by an assortment of injuries that caused his game to slip just as he was being anointed the next great American player.

It was the best round of his PGA Tour career, although Kim walked off the par-5 ninth green slightly perturbed after narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie putt. Apparently, eight birdies weren't enough.

"You don't have many opportunities to bust a 61," Kim said.

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.

"Today was nice to get back inside the ropes and get out there and try to catch AK," Woods said. "He lit it up this morning."

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, opened with a 69, while Punahou alum Parker McLachlin had a 71.

BASKETBALL

ARTEST, ARIZA SWITCHING TEAMS

Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers while free agent Trevor Ariza is headed to Houston.

David Bauman, Artest's agent, told The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for the NBA champions next season. Bauman said the final details are still being worked out.

ESPN.com reported that Artest had agreed to a three-year deal worth $18 million. Bauman would not confirm those numbers, saying the deal was still being negotiated.

The 6-foot-7 forward earned $7.4 million in his one season with Houston, averaging 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Artest could not immediately be reached for comment.

He told CBSSports.com that he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss and coach Phil Jackson. In a text message to ESPN.com last night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."

Ariza is likely to take Artest's spot in the Rockets' starting lineup.

The 6-foot-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA championship.

AUTO RACING

MAYFIELD MISSES DEADLINE FOR DAYTONA

Jeremy Mayfield has missed the deadline to enter his car into tomorrow night's race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

He had an afternoon deadline yesterday to bring the No. 41 Toyota to the track, and it passed with no sign of Mayfield or his race team.

Mayfield's indefinite suspension for a failed drug test was lifted by a federal judge on Wednesday, allowing him to race this weekend. He still can race if another team gives him a seat in a car.

But four team owners who might have considered using Mayfield this weekend have said they aren't interested.

ELSEWHERE

Cycling: Cycling's governing body says all 180 riders expected to start the Tour de France have undergone planned pre-race blood tests. The Tour starts tomorrow in Monaco and finishes nearly 2,140 miles later July 26 in Paris.

Track and field: Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba pulled out of a highly anticipated duel against fellow Ethiopian Meseret Defar in the women's 5,000 meters at the Bislett Games in Oslo yesterday due to a leg injury. Dibaba set the world record last year with a time of 14:11.15.