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Kim leads Tiger by two at AT&T National

BETHESDA, Md., July 2 (UPI) -- Anthony Kim, winless since he captured this event a year ago, fired a course-record 8-under 62 Thursday for a two-shot lead at the AT&T National.

Kim was one of the hottest golfers in the world for much of 2008, claiming two victories during the year, starring in the American Ryder Cup triumph and finishing among the top three in five other tournaments.

He had had limited success this year, however, until finishing among the top 20 the past two weeks at the U.S. Open and Travelers Championship.

Kim's 62 was the lowest score ever posted at the Congressional Country Club, a course that hosted the U.S. Open in 1964 and 1997 and a PGA Championship in 1976. After starting on the back nine, Kim birdied five holes in a six-hole stretch beginning at the third.

Tiger Woods, who hosts this tournament and is playing for just the ninth time this year, shared second place at 64 with D.A. Points and Bryce Molder. Steve Elkington, Daniel Chopra, Jim Furyk and Stuart Appleby were all at 66.

Michael Allen, winner of the Senior PGA Championship this year, continued his surprising run on the regular tour. Having made the cut in 10 of his 14 tournaments this season, he opened this week with a 67.

Newly-crowned U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, who was paired with Woods for the first round, shot a 69.

Diaz shares top spot at Jamie Farr

SYLVANIA, Ohio, July 2 (UPI) -- Laura Diaz, who has made the cut in only one of her last seven events, grabbed a share of the lead Thursday after one round of the Jamie Farr Classic.

Diaz was tied with Morgan Pressel and Song-Hee Kim at 7-under 64 following one trip around the Highland Meadows Golf Club course.

Some of the LPGA Tour's leading players, including Michelle Wie, were in position to challenge for the title. Wie, who is looking for her first tour victory and needs a win to earn a spot in the field at next week's U.S. Women's Open, shared fourth place at 65 with Suzann Pettersen.

Leading the group at 66 was Jiyai Shin, who won last week at the Wegmans LPGA and took over the lead in this year's money race. Shin, an overwhelming favorite to be named rookie of the year this season, became the 174th player in LPGA history to earn $1 million and it took her only 12 tournaments to do it.

Christie Kerr, Inbee Park, Lindsey Wright, Jee Young Lee and Minea Blomqvist also were at 66. The large group at 67 included world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa, Helen Alfredsson, Anna Nordqvist and Angela Stanford.

Nordqvist, also a rookie, recently made her first tour triumph a major title at the LPGA Championship.

Report: Artest set to sign with Lakers

LOS ANGELES, July 2 (UPI) -- Ron Artest has decided to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the free agent forward told CBSsports.com in a text message.

Artest said in the message he was in Los Angeles to complete a deal with the Lakers and he did not "care about the money."

The Los Angeles Times reported the Lakers could pay Artest as much as $32 million over five seasons, which would actually be a pay cut. He made $7.4 million last season with the Houston Rockets.

League rules prevent a free-agent deal from being officially announced until July 8.

With Artest on the court, the Rockets reached the Western Conference semifinals last season for the first time since the 1996-97 campaign. He previously played three seasons with Sacramento.

In a 12-year career with four teams, Artest has scored an average of 16.1 points per game.

Artest could replace Trevor Ariza on the Los Angeles roster. The Los Angeles Times --which reported Thursday that Ariza was unhappy with the Lakers offered -- said the free agent forward had been offered a deal by the Rockets.

Beekeeper saves Astros-Padres game

SAN DIEGO, July 2 (UPI) -- Geoff Blum's three-run homer helped boost Houston to a 7-2 win over San Diego Thursday in a game delayed 52 minutes by a swarm of bees.

The Astros owned a 6-1 advantage and were batting in the top of the ninth when the bees began to appear in the outfield. San Diego left fielder Kyle Blanks headed for the infield to avoid the swarm and the rest of the players soon sought cover in the dugouts.

The bees began to center around a ball girl's jacket that was draped over a chair and several sections of fans were evacuated. A beekeeper was summoned to the stadium and he dispersed the flying insects with a spray.

Houston went on to win for the sixth time in eight games.

Wandy Rodriguez (7-6) allowed a run on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts go get the victory.

San Diego has lost six out of nine.