Kitayama captures PGA 3M Open title with big birdie weekend

1 / 2
Kurt Kitayama holds up his trophy after winning the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club Son July 27, 2025, in Blaine, Minn. (AP)
2 / 2
Kurt Kitayama celebrates with caddie Daniel Kitayama after winning the 3M Open golf tournament. (Imagn Images via Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 28 July 2025
Follow

Kitayama captures PGA 3M Open title with big birdie weekend

  • 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
  • He sank 20 birdies in the final two rounds — the most by any PGA Tour winner since 2003

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.”




Kurt Kitayama hits from the first fairway during the final round of the 3M Open golf tournament at the Tournament Players Club on uly 27, 2025, in Blaine, Minnessota. (AP)

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.
 


Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

Updated 19 December 2025
Follow

Fireballs GC lock in 2026 LIV Golf roster, led by Sergio Garcia extension

  • Garcia is set to headline LIV Golf’s first all-Spanish lineup, with young stars Puig and Ballester coming off major international victories

SPAIN: Fireballs GC of the LIV Golf league have solidified their roster for the 2026 season, highlighted by the return of team captain Sergio Garcia, who has signed a multi-year extension. The Spanish legend will lead a team that includes fellow countrymen and young stars David Puig, Josele Ballester and Luis Masaveu in the league’s first all-Spanish lineup.

“Returning to Fireballs GC and LIV Golf reinforces everything we are building,” Garcia said. “With David and Josele playing well in 2025 and Luis joining the team for 2026, our identity and competitive edge are stronger than ever, rooted in pride, purpose, and our collective emotional connection to the game of golf. LIV Golf continues to set the pace globally, and I’m committed to leading this group as we push forward and keep raising the standard.”

Garcia delivered another elite season as captain in 2025, ranking ninth in the individual standings, his third top-10 finish in four LIV Golf seasons. He won his third start of the season in Hong Kong, becoming one of only three players to capture LIV Golf victories in each of the last two seasons, and continued to serve as the heartbeat and stabilizing force of a young, rising roster.

The Fireballs’ roster confirmation follows a highly successful 2025 season in which the team finished third in the regular-season standings — their highest placement since 2022 — while recording three consecutive team victories in Adelaide, Hong Kong and Singapore. The team finished inside the points in 11 of 13 events, underscoring its consistency across LIV Golf’s global schedule.

Puig returns to build on his success since turning pro to join LIV Golf in 2022, with worldwide wins in each of the last three years, including last month’s Australian PGA Championship. The Spaniard has enjoyed a rapid ascent in LIV Golf, producing his first top-24 finish in 2025 while earning points in each of his 12 regular-season starts, joining LIV star Jon Rahm as the only two players to accomplish that feat. The 24-year-old also notched four top-10 results on his way to proving his status as one of LIV’s most promising young talents.

Ballester emerged as one of the league’s most intriguing young talents after joining Fireballs GC midseason in 2025. The 22-year-old and former U.S. Amateur champion posted his first podium finish after making the playoff at LIV Golf Chicago and, most recently, he secured his first professional victory at the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers.

Masaveu returns to Fireballs GC after making eight starts in the 2025 season and contributing to the team’s three consecutive wins. A former standout amateur who has continued to establish himself at the professional level, the 23-year-old Masaveu brings high-level competitive experience and familiarity with LIV Golf’s team environment. His return adds depth and continuity to a roster anchored by proven leadership and rising young talent, further strengthening Fireballs GC as it builds toward long-term excellence in 2026.

“This year marked real growth for me, and a lot of that comes from learning every day alongside Sergio,” Puig said. “His experience, his standards, and the way he leads have helped me mature quickly. Being a part of the Fireballs has really accelerated my development, and I’m excited to build on the growth I’ve already seen.”

Fireballs GC enter the 2026 season as the only team to post at least one tournament victory in each of LIV Golf’s four seasons. They will start the season as one of the youngest teams, with a roster designed to contend for both team championships and individual honors.