Kurt Kitayama Crowned Champion of the 3M Open with a Spectacular Final Round
In a high-caliber golf demonstration, Kurt Kitayama emerged victorious at the 3M Open, culminating an impressive weekend with a final round of 65 strokes. This triumph earns him his second title on the PGA Tour, surpassing Sam Stevens by a single stroke.
Kitayama, who had tied the tournament record with an astonishing round of 60 strokes on Saturday, entered the final round just one stroke behind the leaders. His aggressive play remained steady, achieving birdies on six of the first eight holes and building a considerable lead on the hot course of TPC Twin Cities.
Despite a bogey on the 17th hole, Kitayama remained calm. After a bunker shot on the final hole, Kitayama executed a masterful shot that left him 18 feet from the hole, securing par and the victory with an easy putt.Kurt Kitayama, who previously won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in 2023, earned a valuable bonus of 500 points in the FedEx Cup standings, securing his place in the playoffs.Kitayama’s victory not only earns him the title of the 3M Open, but also provides him with a significant boost in the FedEx Cup standings, climbing positions and securing a place in the playoffs. He is projected to rise from 110th to 53rd place.
As for the chasers, Matt Wallace, David Lipsky, Pierceson Coody, and Jake Knapp shared third place, three strokes behind the champion.
Kitayama’s performance demonstrates his ability to recover from setbacks and maintain consistent play. His approach game was key, as demonstrated on the 14th hole, where he left the ball a few centimeters from the hole for another birdie.
Sam Stevens, for his part, had a strong performance with five birdies in the second half of the course. This result boosts him in the FedEx Cup, although he is still looking for his first victory.
Akshay Bhatia and Thorbjorn Olesen, who were leading the tournament before the final round, had a disappointing finish. Bhatia finished in 25th place, while Olesen fell to 14th place.
