Anthony Kim reacts after winning the Wachovia Championship. Kim became the youngest golfer on the PGA Tour to win an event in six years on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.

Charlotte, N.C. ? Knee surgery prevented Tiger Woods from attempting to defend his Wachovia Championship title. Anthony Kim didn’t disappoint fans at Quail Hollow Club looking for Tiger-like brilliance.

In a near flawless performance Sunday, the 22-year-old Kim became the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in six years. Following monster drives with flagstick-hitting approach shots and steady putting, Kim shot a 3-under 69 to cruise to five-shot victory over Ben Curtis.

The former NCAA freshman of the year at Oklahoma won’t turn 23 until next month. But he dominated a star-studded field by finishing with a 16-under 272 total, three shots better than the previous tournament record held by Woods.

“I’m a little bit numb right now, but that walk up 18 was the best feeling of my entire life,” Kim said. “I’ll never forget that feeling. I had chills going up and down my spine. I want to recreate that as many times as possible now, so I’m really going to work hard.”

Kim earned $1,134,000 and became the youngest winner since Sergio Garcia won the Mercedes Championship in 2002.

Kim brought memories of Garcia, but for a different reason, when he strolled to the first tee Sunday with a four-shot lead and no PGA Tour wins. Garcia blew a six-shot lead at Quail Hollow in 2005 and lost in a playoff to Vijay Singh.

“I was actually pretty comfortable. I thought I’d have a couple more butterflies in my stomach at the first tee,” Kim said. “I felt pretty calm and confident about my game.”

It showed. Kim birdied the first and fifth holes to pull away from playing partner Heath Slocum, who shot a 73 and finished at 8 under.

“I knew my life was changing on the 18th green when I was lining that putt up,” Kim said. “It was just so special. I’ll never forget that feeling. All these emotions were starting to run through, and I realized what I had done and all the hard work had paid off.”

Kim is the fifth first-time winner in 2008, joining Brian Gay, Greg Kraft, Andres Romero and Johnson Wagner.

Creamer barely holds on

Broken Arrow, Okla. – Paula Creamer squandered a late lead, but came out with a playoff victory Sunday in the SemGroup Championship, beating Juli Inkster and ending Lorena Ochoa’s four-tournament winning streak on tour.

Watson takes late control

Lakeway, Texas – Zimbabwe’s Denis Watson birdied the final hole Sunday to win the FedEx Kinko’s Classic, taking advantage of countryman Nick Price’s late collapse.

Watson closed with a 3-under 69 to finish at 10 under. He earned $240,000 for his second victory of the year and fourth overall on the Champions Tour.

Price, who shot a 75 to finish at 9 under, made double bogeys on 15 and 16. An 18th-hole par left him a stroke back.

Lawrie victorious in playoff

Seville, Spain – Peter Lawrie made par on the second playoff hole to win the Spanish Open on Sunday after Ignacio Garrido’s approach shot rolled into the water.

“I’m not a party person, but I will enjoy this,” Lawrie, 34, said after his first European Tour win in 175 attempts. “It just feels unbelievable; I’m lost for words.”