Tony The Tiger

That wasn't true for a few hours on Sunday afternoon when Kim was busy crushing the star-studded field at Quail Hollow . He was given a warm reception by the packed house as he neared the 18th green carrying a five-shot cushion. "That walk up 18 was the best feeling in my entire life," Kim says. "I'll never forget it. I had chills going up and down my spine."

Kim will probably also remember a small, yet telling, gesture by Rocco Mediate earlier in the day. Kim was on the putting green a few minutes before his final-round tee time when Mediate, a veteran of 22 years on Tour, walked past having just finished his round. He rolled a ball in Kim 's direction, hitting Eric Larson , Kim 's caddie, in the foot. Larson turned and saw Mediate grinning, pointing at Kim and offering a thumbs-up. Kim looked up and smiled. He had finally arrived.

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