Another setback for Kim

ORLANDO -- Anthony Kim, who has endured a spotty start to his 2009 season marked by injuries and inconsistency, took a step backwards Wednesday when he was forced to withdraw from the Arnold Palmer Invitational because of illness.

After attending media day for the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Kim, 23, arrived in Orlando that night battling flu-like symptoms and was admitted to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital Tuesday night to get treated for dehydration. He had withdrawn from the Wednesday Pro-Am at Bay Hill Club and was replaced in his 7:30 a.m. tee time by Steve Lowery. He withdrew from the tournament Wednesday afternoon. George McNeill replaced him in the 120-player field.

A two-time winner on the PGA Tour in 2008, Kim has yet to play consecutive events in the U.S. this year. Battling shoulder and foot injuries, Kim began the season with a tie for second at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, but he hasn't been a factor since in five other starts, including two abroad. No. 14 in the world rankings, Kim said at the WGC-CA Championship at Doral Resort in Miami that he had decided to add the Arnold Palmer Invitational because he was "rusty," which he attributed in part to not working as hard as he knew he should as well as to injuries.

"I just need to play more golf. I have not worked that hard yet this year," Kim said at Doral. "I need to get some more rounds under my belt. But I'm finally healthy again, and I think I am coming around at just the right time. I feel like I'm starting to peak going into the Masters."

Kim is scheduled to play next week at the Shell Houston Open.

-- Dave Shedloski