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Kuwait Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Kitayama captures PGA 3M Open title with birdie weekend
BLAINE, MINNESOTA: Kurt Kitayama of the United States poses with 3M CEO Bill Brown, his wife Stephanie and the Elemental Swing trophy after his winning round during the final round of the 3M Open 2025 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. – AFP CHICAGO: Kurt Kitayama birdied six of the first eight holes then hung on down the stretch to win the 3M Open on Sunday for his second career US PGA Tour title. With his older brother Daniel serving as his caddie, the 32-year-old American fired a six-under-par 65 to finish 72 holes on 23-under-par 261 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. That was good enough for a one-stroke victory over countryman Sam Stevens, who had five back-nine birdies to keep the pressure on Kitayama to the finish. 'I feel like the game has been trending and for it to finally pay off now has been awesome,' said Kitayama, who was one off the 72-hole tournament record set by Lee Hodges in 2023. Kitayama, who fired a career-low 60 on Saturday after fighting to make the cut on Friday, sank 20 birdies in the final two rounds—the most by any PGA Tour winner since 2003. 'On Friday I was like finding my swing and grinding to make the cut,' Kitayama said. 'Went to the range to find something and obviously found something on Saturday and it continued today with that unbelievable start that I had. Just kind of went from there.' Kitayama also won in 2023 at Bay Hill but this time was even better with his brother as bagman. 'It's very special. It has been awesome having him on the bag,' Kitayama said. Kitayama jumped from 110th to 53rd in the season points chase ahead of next week's regular-season finale at Greensboro, ensuring his spot among the top 70 in points who advance to next month's FedEx Cup playoffs. Kitayama's stunning start put him on 23-under with a three-stroke lead at the turn. He birdied first on a putt from just inside six feet, the second on a tap-in after his approach landed inches from the hole and the third on a 22-foot putt. A tap-in birdie at the fifth, a 10-footer for birdie at six and a four-foot birdie putt completed the early surge. Kitayama found the deep left rough at 11 and made bogey, but answered with a six-foot birdie putt on 12 and restored his three-shot lead with a tap-in birdie at 14 after dropping his approach two feet from the hole. Stevens reeled off three birdies in a row to reach 22-under with a birdie putt from just inside five feet at the 16th and Kitayama's three-putt bogey at the par-three 17th sent the drama to the par-five 18th. Stevens found the rough on his first three shots but salvaged par to stay one back. Kitayama landed his second shot in a greenside bunker 60 feet from the hole but blasted out to 17 feet and two-putted for par and the victory. — AFP
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Brotherly Bond Boosts Kurt Kitayama To 3M Open Win After DeChambeau Calls In Caddie
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Bryson DeChambeau was more than 4,000 miles away from Minnesota during the final round of the 3M Open. Yet, the LIV golf star played a pivotal role in one of the weekend's main storylines at the TPC Twin Cities despite playing at the JCB Golf and Country Club in London. It all started sometime last week, when DeChambeau's caddie, Greg Bodine, needed to miss the event in England due to personal issues. The two-time major champion was forced to make a call, and the recipient was none other than Tim Tucker, Kurt Kitayama's current caddie. Naturally, DeChambeau's call to Tucker wasn't random. The two worked together from 2016 to 2021, during which time the player won eight times on the PGA Tour, including a major championship. Nevertheless, when Tucker agreed to fill in for Bodine over the weekend, it was Kitayama who was left without a caddie. Fortunately, the 32-year-old also had an ace up his sleeve: his brother, Daniel. Kurt Kitayama of the United States poses with the Elemental Swing trophy and his caddie Daniel Kitayama after putting in to win on the 18th green during the final round of the 3M Open... Kurt Kitayama of the United States poses with the Elemental Swing trophy and his caddie Daniel Kitayama after putting in to win on the 18th green during the final round of the 3M Open 2025 at TPC Twin Cities on July 27, 2025 in Blaine, Minnesota. MoreThe move couldn't have worked out better. With his brother looking after his bag, he won the 3M Open after a sensational comeback. Kurt made the cut by just one stroke (6-under) but played the final 36 holes at 17-under to claim his second PGA Tour title. It's also the third victory of his professional career with his brother as his caddie. This is no small feat, considering that Kitayama has only won five times since beginning his career in 2015. "The caddie change wasn't my choice, actually," Kitayama said after his performance, according to the transcripts of the winner's press conference. "So, I had to find someone that I knew, I had to find someone that I trusted, and my brother's been on the bag before. We won twice in Europe." "He's always been around me at tournaments and whenever he can, so I figured that was going to be the best fit to finish the season." Career low 60 with your brother on the bag ... Doesn't get much better than that for Kurt Kitayama 🫶 — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 27, 2025 Kurt was very pleased with the outcome of working with his brother, something they have done intermittently over the years. "He helped me stay calm out there, make good decisions, and yeah, just helps having family on the bag," he said, according to the transcripts. " ... This win's going to be extra special having him on the bag. Very cool experience and really happy he's part of it." DeChambeau, meanwhile, finished tied for 11th at LIV Golf UK with Tucker carrying his bag. The future of this situation has not yet been made public, although Kitayama hinted that his brother could also be at his side at the Wyndham Championship next week. More Golf: Min Woo Lee Cooking With Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner During Tour Break
