Kurt Kitayama plays golf professionally and is American. He presently competes on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour. Kurt Kitayama became a professional in 2015 and has since won three competitions. In terms of the Official World Golf Ranking, he is now ranked inside the top 20. As of 2023, Kurt Kitayama’s net worth was estimated to be around $4 million.
Kurt Kitayama Early Life
In Chico, California, Kurt Kitayama was born in January 1993. He is a son of Rumiko Kitayama and Clifford Kitayama. Kurt was born and raised in California alongside his older brother, Daniel. He attended Chico High School for his studies and received his diploma in 2011.
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Kurt Kitayama was a multi-sport athlete who excelled on the basketball court, serving as the starting point guard for his high school team. Additionally, he served as the team’s Senior Co-Captain and helped guide them to a 27-2 record and the 2011 California Northern Section Championship. In the championship game, where Chico High School defeated Pleasant Valley High School, he made 6 assists and scored 31 points. This athletic background instilled a sense of competitiveness and clutch performance that would later serve him well in professional golf.
Kurt Kitayama Amateur Career
Kirt Kitayama on the green as a pro golfer
In 2009, Kurt Kitayama participated in amateur golf competitions at the Callaway Junior World Golf Championships. He tied for third place in the 15–17 age group there. The Northern California Junior Golf Association then named Kurt Kitayama Player of the Year for 2009. The golfer enrolled in the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) in 2011 after graduating from high school.
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At UNLV, Kitayama honed his skills as a key member of the Rebels’ golf team. His collegiate career was marked by consistency and growth. He was selected for the Academic All-MW team three years in a row while a student, demonstrating his dedication both on and off the course. In addition, he was invited to the Jackrabbit Invitational in 2014 and 2015 for two years, securing victories in both appearances, which highlighted his potential for the professional ranks.
Kitayama’s Unconventional Path to the PGA Tour
Unlike many American professionals who rise through the Korn Ferry Tour, Kurt Kitayama took a more global and arduous route to reach golf’s pinnacle. After turning professional in 2015, he spent several years competing on various tours around the world, building experience and collecting wins along the way.
- Web.com Tour (2017): He started his journey on what is now the Korn Ferry Tour, facing the challenges and tough competition of the PGA Tour’s primary developmental circuit.
- Asian Tour (2018): Kitayama then took his talents to Asia. He found success on the Asian Development Tour, winning the PGM Darulaman Championship in Malaysia. This victory was a crucial stepping stone, boosting his confidence and world ranking.
- European Tour (2019): His breakthrough came after a successful trip to the European Tour Q-School in late 2018. He earned his card and wasted no time making an impact.
Kurt Kitayama Pro Career
Kirt Kitayama wins Arnold Palmer Invitational
The talented golfer, Kurt Kitayama won one Asian Development Tour competition in 2018. He achieved several solid finishes in the Asian-Pacific Diamond Cup Golf, the Royal Cup, and the New Zealand Open while playing on the Asian Tour.
In November 2018, Kitayama participated in the European Tour Q-School. He ended in third place, exhausted, and earned a spot on the 2019 European Tour. He participated in the Afrasian Bank Mauritius Open in the latter part of 2018 and won by two strokes. He rose to the top 200 in the world rankings after the triumph.
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In March 2019, Kurt Kitayama triumphed at the Oman Open to become the golfer with the fastest two victories in European Tour history. He only made his 11th professional appearance before breaking the record for the fastest player to two wins.
The Crowning Achievement: 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational
Kurt Kitayama’s career reached a new peak on March 5, 2023, when he captured his first PGA Tour victory at one of its most prestigious events: the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. The win was a showcase of his talent, resilience, and mental toughness against an elite field.
How the Victory Unfolded:
- Building a Lead: Kitayama played brilliantly through the first three rounds on a firm and fast Bay Hill course, establishing a lead heading into the final day.
- Final Round Drama: The final round was a rollercoaster. After a triple-bogey on the 9th hole, it appeared his chances might be slipping away. However, he showed incredible grit.
- The Clutch Finish: He battled back on the notoriously difficult back nine. The defining moment came on the 17th hole, where he drained a dramatic 47-foot birdie putt to reclaim the lead. He then made a gutsy par on the 18th hole to secure the victory by one stroke over a charging Rory McIlroy and Harris English.
This victory earned him a $3.6 million winner’s check, a three-year PGA Tour exemption, and invitations to The Masters, the PGA Championship, and The Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Kurt Kitayama received his PGA Tour card in September 2021 after placing 23rd in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. He finished third at The Honda Classic, his highest finish on the PGA Tour before his win. Kurt carried on his strong play and finished T2 at the Mexican Open in May 2022.
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Who is Kurt Kitayama’s Caddy?
A crucial part of Kitayama’s recent success has been his partnership with caddy Tim Tucker. Tucker is a well-known and respected figure in the golf world, most famous for his long and successful tenure on the bag for Bryson DeChambeau, during which they won the U.S. Open together. The partnership with Kitayama began in 2022, and Tucker’s experience in high-pressure situations was instrumental during their victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. His calm demeanor and strategic knowledge provide the perfect complement to Kitayama’s aggressive playing style.
Kurt Kitayama Net Worth
Kirt Kitayama triumphs during Arnold Palmer Invitational
As of 2023, Kurt Kitayama’s net worth is thought to be approximately $4 million. His professional golf career has earned him over $9 million in total earnings. His career earnings saw a massive boost with the $3.6 million prize from his win at Bay Hill. He has participated in numerous events so far in his PGA Tour career, bringing in a total of over $8.5 million on that tour alone. His global earnings from the European and Asian Tours add significantly to this total.
What’s In The Bag (WITB)?
For golf equipment aficionados, here is a look at the clubs Kurt Kitayama typically uses to compete:
- Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10.5 degrees)
- Fairway Woods: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (16.5 degrees & 21 degrees)
- Irons: TaylorMade P7MC (4-6), TaylorMade P7MB (7-PW)
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (52 & 56 degrees), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (60 degrees)
- Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast
- Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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