Anthony Kim needed someone to cheer him on.

His girlfriend was forced to stay at home during this week's Verizon Heritage because she cut her leg in a household accident last week. His friends, who often travel with him to PGA Tour events, chose to sit this one out, as did his coach.

So a family friend introduced Kim to Jan Hanser of Charleston, whom Kim asked to make the trip to Harbour Town Golf Links. Hanser was happy to oblige, as were several of her female friends.

So when a group of 12 women is cheering on Kim through today's final round, don't get the wrong idea.

"It's not like that," Kim said, laughing. "I met these people through another family friend, and they've been hanging out since."

The newly-formed cheering section had plenty of reason to make noise on Saturday. Kim shot his third consecutive 67 and is in second place heading into today's round, three shots behind leader Boo Weekley. Kim will play in the last group for the first time in his PGA Tour career.

"I don't think I was ready to be in the final group last year," Kim said. "I may have played good enough golf, but mentally I wasn't there."

Today the 22-year old will try to establish another first -- no golfer younger than 23 has ever won the Heritage. Davis Love III was 23 when he won his first of five tartan jackets in 1987.

He has consistency on his side.

Kim needed only 23 putts to make it through Saturday's round after using only 25 each of the first two days. He said the key to his improved putting is a tweak he made after receiving a tip from instructor Paul Vizanko.

"We went down and watched a little film of Tiger (Woods) putting, and there's a difference between his stroke and mine," Kim said. "And I learned a little bit, and it's helping me out this week."

Kim said he noticed how steady Woods' head was when he putted. Of course, he noticed one other difference as well.

"The difference was he made everything," Kim said.

It didn't take long for Kim to find the top of the leaderboard in Saturday's round. He eagled the par-5 second hole -- and needed only a 5-foot putt to do so -- surging to 10 under, along with second-round leader Lucas Glover. He added birdies on 4, 9 and 12 and made only one bogey.

Kim is now in position to record his best finish since his first career PGA Tour event, a second-place finish at the Valero Texas Open. Since then, Kim hasn't been able to get over the hump for his first PGA Tour victory.

"I've learned a lot from that tournament," Kim said. "I thought it was going to be no problem, no practice, win tournaments. But obviously that's not the case. That's why I think these last four months have been crucial in my development as a golfer and as a person. So I'm excited to be in this position."