Kim: I'm here to win

World number 14 Anthony Kim says he is ready to make his Masters debut and that he only turns up to a golf tournament “expecting to win”.

The American, who won twice on the PGA Tour last season, has endured a mixed start to the 2009 campaign and has struggled with a lapse in form as well as injuries. But at 23, Kim believes his Masters debut has come at the perfect time and is confident of a good performance at Augusta national this week, saying: “I am very excited to be here and have waited a long time to get a tee time at Augusta. I have watched this tournament on TV, but that really does not do the course any justice.

“You see people chipping into bunkers and you think that can’t be right. But then you come here and you see the greens for yourself.”

Kim admitted that he did not expect the conditions to be as windy, especially after the weekend of strong swirls and postponements at the Shell Houston Open. “It was windy out there. It really swirled off the trees. But it was just so special to get here this morning. Going through the gates with my parents, that was such a special moment.”

Kim had planned to play a practice round at Augusta some weeks ago, but had to postpone his round due to heavy rain. “I came here after Doral,” he added. “I stayed the night in my hotel, woke up in the morning and it was raining. I ended up just going straight to the airport."

When asked what would constitute a good week for him on his Masters debut, Kim claimed there was only one outcome on his mind: “I hate to say it this way, but you don't come to a golf tournament without feeling like you're here to win a golf tournament.

“I know that if I didn't feel that way, I wouldn't be here. With that being said, there are so many other guys that have played here that have had great careers, and who have never won here. But I'm here to win the golf tournament, and I'll do my best.”