Latest news with #Kitayama
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Kitayama Ties Course Record, Wins 3M Open With Historic Weekend Surge
BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 27: Kurt Kitayama of the United States poses with the Elemental Swing ... More trophy 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. (Photo by) This year's 3M Open was record-setting, highlighted by two rounds of 60, one from Adam Svensson on Thursday and another from Kurt Kitayama on Saturday, who went on to win the tournament. After narrowly making the cut on Friday, Kitayama was on pace for a historic 59 when he found the bunker to the right of the 17th green, resulting in a bogey. A birdie on the 18th hole brought him back to a 60, tying the course record. Kitayama scorched the front nine at TPC Twin Cities, shooting a 28 in round three and a 29 in round four. His combined front-nine score across the weekend was a remarkable 13-under par. His 20 birdies over the final two rounds tied the highest two-round birdie total on the PGA Tour in the past 20 years. 'It feels amazing to come out on top. It's awesome,' Kitayama said. The win comes at a pivotal time for Kitayama. With just one tournament remaining before the PGA Tour Playoffs, he jumped 57 spots in the FedExCup standings to 53rd. That move secures his place in the St. Jude Championship. With a strong showing this week at the Wyndham Championship, Kitayama could also qualify for the BMW Championship at Caves Valley. BLAINE, MINNESOTA - JULY 27: Sam Stevens of the United States plays a shot from a bunker on the ... More first hole during the final round of the 3M Open 2025 at TPC Twin Cities on July 27, 2025 in Blaine, Minnesota. (Photo by) At the 3M Open, Kitayama ranked first in strokes gained: approach to the green and fourth in total feet of putts made. His season-long approach game, ranked 36th on tour, showed moderate improvement this week but it was his putting that made the biggest leap, skyrocketing from 152nd to 4th in strokes gained: putting. 'This tournament's amazing. I thought the fans were awesome. The course is in great shape. It's just a great venue, great atmosphere, great setup. I thought that last year, and it's a place I definitely want to keep coming back to,' Kitayama said. Other big movers from the 3M Open include Pierceson Coody and Sam Stevens. Coody tied for third and climbed 30 spots in the standings, putting him closer to securing his PGA Tour card. Stevens jumped 17 places into the top 30 in FedExCup points, making him exempt for the BMW Championship.
Kuwait Times
a day 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
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Kitayama captures PGA 3M Open title with big birdie weekend
American Kurt Kitayama celebrates with the trophy after winning the 3M Open for his second US PGA Tour title Photo by Andrew Wevers / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP Chicago (AFP) — 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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.' Jon McCarthy has something for every golfer, with a notably Canadian slant. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 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. Canada Editorial Cartoons Sunshine Girls Relationships Editorials
Newsweek
a day 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
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Kurt Kitayama parlays red-hot weekend into 3M Open victory
KURT Kitayama wasn't sure he would qualify for the final two rounds of the 3M Open. It turned out to be a weekend to remember. Kitayama shot 6-under-par 65 and held on to win the 3M Open by one stroke Sunday in Blaine, Minn., for his second PGA Tour victory. "I feel like the game has been trending, and for it finally to kind of pay off now has been awesome," Kitayama said. Kitayama finished at 23-under 261 at TPC Twin Cities for a one-stroke decision on Sam Stevens, who posted 66 on Sunday. Kitayama made a total of 20 birdies in the two weekend rounds. Prior to that, he wasn't certain he would make the cut in this tournament. "On Friday, I was fighting my swing trying to find something," Kitayama said. "Went to the range, trying to find something." He definitely discovered what was needed. Kitayama, who tied a course and tournament record with a third-round 60 on Saturday, pretty much rode that wave of momentum. He had birdies on the first three holes Sunday – including a chip-in from the greenside rough on No. 3 – and was 5 under through six holes on the way to a 29 on the front nine. But after a bogey on No. 11, his lead was just two on England's Matt Wallace, who had already completed his round. Kitayama rebounded with birdies on two of the next three holes. Yet it took him three putts to finish the par-3 17th, with the bogey cutting the margin to one stroke. But Stevens, who had birdies on Nos. 14-16 to pull within striking distance, was all over the place on the 18th with his first three shots into the rough and scrambled for par. Kitayama, in the next group, had a smooth final hole and won it with par. The tournament title locked up a position for Kitayama in the FedEx Cup playoffs with one regular-season tournament remaining. "Jumping up that much is great," he said. "The goal is to make the playoffs and give yourself a chance." There was another special aspect of the result for Kitayama because his older brother, Daniel, was his caddie for the second week in a row. Stevens settled for his third top-10 finish of the season. David Lipsky and Wallace both registered 64s to share the distinction for the best score of the round, and they finished tied for third place at 20 under, along with Pierceson Coody (67) and Jake Knapp (68). Wallace produced a bogey-free round, but finished with pars on his final three holes. Chris Gotterup, who was aiming for his second title in three weeks, didn't make a charge en route to a 69, tying for 10th place at 18 under. Third-round co-leaders Thorbjorn Olesen (73) of Denmark and Akshay Bhatia (75) tumbled down the leaderboard and finished tied for 14th (16 under) and tied for 25th (14 under), respectively. Bhatia had seven bogeys Sunday.
