UCI’s Kim to play in Buick Invitational, starting today

UC Irvine senior Kenny Kim competes in the Buick Invitational this week at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla.

Kim is scheduled to tee off in today’s first round at 9:30 a.m. on the 10th hole of the South Course with playing partners Nick Flanagan and Travis Perkins. The trio is scheduled to tee off Friday at 10:30 a.m. on the North Course’s first hole.

Television coverage will be provided by The Golf Channel Thursday and Friday from noon to 3 p.m., and by CBS Saturday (noon to 3 p.m.) and Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. Tiger Woods is the defending champion in the tournament.

Kim gained a spot in the Buick by winning the qualifying tournament Oct. 20 with a four-under round of 68 at Torrey Pines South.

He is the third UCI player to qualify for the Buick Invitational, following Mike Lavery in 2004 and Jay Choe in 2006.

Coach Paul Smolinski’s Anteater team, the defending Big West Conference champion, opens its 2008 schedule Monday and Tuesday in the Ping-Arizona Intercollegiate at Arizona National Golf Club in Tucson.

UCI had four top-five finishes in five fall tournaments. Kim had a stroke average of 71.58 in fall competition.

— From staff reports