The world's top golfer, Tiger Woods, leads defending champion Anthony Kim and a star-studded field when the AT & T National tournament tees off Thursday at Congressional Country Club, outside Washington. Woods is back in the field, after missing last year's event because of reconstructive knee surgery.
Tiger Woods watched the 2008 AT & T National on television, laid up from an operation that rebuilt his left knee. But this year, he is back to the tournament he helped found two years ago.
Woods says that he hopes to do something he has never done in his career -- win this tournament.
"I always put in as much as I possibly can to win an event," Woods said. "I love being the greedy host. It is fun winning your own event, it's no doubt. It is awfully fun to do that. Hopefully, I can do that again this week."
To win, Woods will have to get past a field that includes the world's number-three player, Paul Casey of England, Vijay Singh of Fiji, former Master champion Mike Weir of Canada and newly-crowned U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover of the United States.
American Anthony Kim is back to defend his title.
Kim, who just turned 24 years old last month, says he does not feel any pressure being the defending champion.
I have no pressure from anybody," Kim said. "I want to play great golf. I want to win golf tournaments. I'm here to do that, but at the same time, I have so much to look forward to.
This tournament will be moved from Congressional Country Club next year to Aronimink Golf Club, outside Philadelphia. Congressional is set to host the U.S. Open in 2011 and the course will be undergoing some modifications to get ready.
