Tom Kite

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Tom Kite
TomKite.jpg
Personal information
Full nameThomas Oliver Kite Jr.
Born (1949-12-09) December 9, 1949 (age 74)
McKinney, Texas
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Sporting nationalityFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Residence Austin, Texas
Career
College University of Texas
Turned professional1972
Current tour(s) PGA Tour Champions
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
Professional wins37
Highest ranking 5 (April 16, 1989) [1]
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour19
European Tour3
PGA Tour of Australasia1
PGA Tour Champions10
Other5
Best results in major championships
(wins: 1)
Masters Tournament 2nd/T2: 1983, 1986, 1997
PGA Championship T4: 1981, 1988
U.S. Open Won: 1992
The Open Championship T2: 1978
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame 2004 (member page)
Bob Jones Award 1979
PGA Tour
money list winner
1981, 1989
Byron Nelson Award 1981, 1982
Vardon Trophy 1981, 1982
PGA Player of the Year 1989
GWAA Male
Player of the Year
1989

Thomas Oliver Kite Jr. (born December 9, 1949) is an American professional golfer and golf course architect. He won the U.S. Open in 1992 and spent 175 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking between 1989 and 1994. [2]

Contents

Early life and amateur career

Kite was born in McKinney, Texas. He began playing golf at age six, and won his first tournament at age 11. Kite attended the University of Texas on a golf scholarship and was coached by Harvey Penick.

Professional career

In 1972, Kite turned professional and has been a consistent money winner ever since. Known for his innovation, he was the first to add a third wedge to his bag, one of the first players to use a sports psychologist, and one of the first to emphasize physical fitness for game improvement. He also underwent laser eye surgery, due to his partial blindness, [3] in a bid to improve his game late in his career.

He has 19 PGA Tour victories, including the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. He competed on seven Ryder Cup squads (1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993) and served as the 1997 captain. Kite holds a unique record of making the cut for the first four U.S. Opens held at Pebble Beach: 1972, 1982, 1992, and 2000. Kite also shares the distinction (with Gene Littler) of playing in the most Masters Tournaments without a win. [4]

Kite was the first in Tour history to reach $6 million, $7 million, $8 million, and $9 million in career earnings. He was the Tour's leading money-winner in 1981 and 1989. In his prime, Kite had few peers with the short irons. In 1993, Johnny Miller referred to Kite as "the greatest short-iron player the game has seen." [5]

In 2005 he led the PGA Tour's Booz Allen Classic by one shot going into the final round at the age of 55. If he had been able to stay ahead he would have beaten Sam Snead's record as the oldest winner on the PGA Tour by three years, but he fell away to finish tied 13th, seven shots behind Sergio García.

Kite played the Champions Tour until 2020, claiming ten victories including one senior major, The Countrywide Tradition. At the 2012 U.S. Senior Open, Kite shot a front nine 28 (seven under par) in the first round. This was the lowest nine-hole score ever recorded in any USGA championship. [6] [7] He finished the tournament tied for 12th.

In 1996, Kite had a cameo in The Simpsons episode "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield", in which he gave Homer Simpson golf tips. [8]

Awards and honors

Amateur wins

Professional wins (37)

PGA Tour wins (19)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Players Championships (1)
Tour Championships (1)
Other PGA Tour (16)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Jun 6, 1976 IVB-Bicentennial Golf Classic −7 (71-70-70-66=277)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Terry Diehl
2Sep 4, 1978 B.C. Open −17 (66-65-68-68=267)5 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Mark Hayes
3Mar 8, 1981 American Motors Inverrary Classic −14 (69-68-68-69=274)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
4Mar 7, 1982 Bay Hill Classic −6 (69-70-70-69=278)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus, Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Denis Watson
5Feb 6, 1983 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am −12 (69-72-62-73=276)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Rex Caldwell, Flag of the United States.svg Calvin Peete
6Mar 11, 1984 Doral-Eastern Open −16 (68-69-70-65=272)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus
7Jun 24, 1984 Georgia-Pacific Atlanta Golf Classic −19 (69-67-66-67=269)5 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Don Pooley
8May 5, 1985 MONY Tournament of Champions −13 (64-72-70-69=275)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Mark McCumber
9Aug 3, 1986 Western Open −2 (70-75-73-68=286)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples, Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg David Frost,
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price
10Jun 7, 1987 Kemper Open −14 (64-69-68-69=270)7 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Chris Perry, Flag of the United States.svg Howard Twitty
11Mar 12, 1989 Nestle Invitational (2)−6 (68-72-67-71=278)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Davis Love III
12Mar 19, 1989 The Players Championship −9 (69-70-69-71=279)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck
13Oct 29, 1989 Nabisco Championship −8 (69-65-74-68=276)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Payne Stewart
14Aug 5, 1990 Federal Express St. Jude Classic −15 (72-68-62-67=269)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg John Cook
15Jan 6, 1991 Infiniti Tournament of Champions (2)−16 (68-67-68-69=272)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Lanny Wadkins
16May 10, 1992 BellSouth Classic (2)−16 (70-65-72-65=272)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jay Don Blake
17Jun 21, 1992 U.S. Open −3 (71-72-70-72=285)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Sluman
18Feb 14, 1993 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic −35 (67-67-64-65-62=325)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Rick Fehr
19Feb 28, 1993 Nissan Los Angeles Open −7 (73-66-67=206)*3 strokes Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Dave Barr, Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples,
Flag of the United States.svg Donnie Hammond, Flag of the United States.svg Payne Stewart

*Note: The 1993 Nissan Los Angeles Open was shortened to 54 holes due to rain.

PGA Tour playoff record (6–4)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1976 IVB-Bicentennial Golf Classic Flag of the United States.svg Terry Diehl Won with par on fifth extra hole
2 1982 Bob Hope Desert Classic Flag of the United States.svg Ed Fiori Lost to birdie on second extra hole
31982 Bay Hill Classic Flag of the United States.svg Jack Nicklaus, Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Denis Watson Won with birdie on first extra hole
4 1986 Western Open Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples, Flag of South Africa (1982-1994).svg David Frost,
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price
Won with birdie on first extra hole
5 1988 Kemper Open Flag of the United States.svg Morris Hatalsky Lost to par on second extra hole
61988 Nabisco Championship Flag of the United States.svg Curtis Strange Lost to birdie on second extra hole
7 1989 Nestle Invitational Flag of the United States.svg Davis Love III Won with par on second extra hole
81989 Nabisco Championship Flag of the United States.svg Payne Stewart Won with par on second extra hole
9 1990 Federal Express St. Jude Classic Flag of the United States.svg John Cook Won with birdie on first extra hole
10 1992 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Flag of the United States.svg John Cook, Flag of the United States.svg Rick Fehr,
Flag of the United States.svg Mark O'Meara, Flag of the United States.svg Gene Sauers
Cook won with eagle on fourth extra hole
Fehr eliminated by birdie on second hole
Kite and O'Meara eliminated by birdie on first hole

European Tour wins (3)

Legend
Major championships (1)
Other European Tour (2)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Sep 7, 1980 European Open Championship −8 (71-67-71-75=284)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Lon Hinkle, Flag of the United States.svg Leonard Thompson
2Jun 21, 1992 U.S. Open −3 (71-72-70-72=285)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Sluman
3Oct 13, 1996 Oki Pro-Am −15 (71-68-64-70=273)1 stroke Flag of Argentina.svg Ángel Cabrera

New Zealand Golf Circuit wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
1Nov 17, 1974 City of Auckland Classic −16 (66-67-68-67=268)7 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Stewart Ginn

Other wins (5)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Dec 6, 1981 JCPenney Mixed Team Classic
(with Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel)
−18 (69-67-64-70=270)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Vance Heafner and Flag of the United States.svg Cathy Morse
2Nov 8, 1987 Kirin Cup Individual Trophy −16 (68-69-66-69=272)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Payne Stewart
3Aug 25, 1992 Fred Meyer Challenge
(with Flag of the United States.svg Billy Andrade)
−16 (64-64=128)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Steve Pate and Flag of the United States.svg Corey Pavin
4Nov 22, 1992 Franklin Funds Shark Shootout
(with Flag of the United States.svg Davis Love III)
−25 (65-69-59=191)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Billy Ray Brown and Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price,
Flag of the United States.svg Fred Couples and Flag of the United States.svg Raymond Floyd,
Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin and Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Lietzke
5Nov 17, 1996 Franklin Templeton Shark Shootout (2)
(with Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas)
−29 (67-60-60=187)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin and Flag of the United States.svg Lee Janzen,
Flag of the United States.svg Craig Stadler and Flag of the United States.svg Lanny Wadkins

Other playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11992 PGA Grand Slam of Golf Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Nick Price Lost to par on first extra hole

Champions Tour wins (10)

Legend
Champions Tour major championships (1)
Other Champions Tour (9)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Apr 2, 2000 The Countrywide Tradition −8 (68-70-71-71=280)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Larry Nelson, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson
2Jun 11, 2000 SBC Senior Open −9 (71-68-68=207)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Fleisher
3Sep 30, 2001 Gold Rush Classic −22 (65-62-67=194)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Allen Doyle
4Jan 20, 2002 MasterCard Championship −17 (63-69-67=199)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg John Jacobs
5Mar 3, 2002 SBC Senior Classic −4 (74-69-69=212)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson
6Oct 13, 2002 Napa Valley Championship −12 (66-66-72=204)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Bruce Fleisher, Flag of the United States.svg Fred Gibson
7Aug 8, 2004 3M Championship −13 (65-69-69=203)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Craig Stadler
8Mar 12, 2006 AT&T Classic −12 (70-64-70=204)5 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Gil Morgan
9Aug 20, 2006 Boeing Greater Seattle Classic −15 (71-64-66=201)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Keith Fergus
10Aug 24, 2008 Boeing Classic (2)−14 (69-67-66=202)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Scott Simpson

Champions Tour playoff record (3–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 2000 The Countrywide Tradition Flag of the United States.svg Larry Nelson, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson Won with birdie on sixth extra hole
Nelson eliminated by par on second hole
2 2002 SBC Senior Classic Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson Won with par on second extra hole
3 2006 Boeing Greater Seattle Classic Flag of the United States.svg Keith Fergus Won with birdie on first extra hole
4 2007 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf Flag of the United States.svg Jay Haas Lost to par on first extra hole
5 2008 ACE Group Classic Flag of the United States.svg Brad Bryant, Flag of the United States.svg Scott Hoch,
Flag of the United States.svg Tom Jenkins
Hoch won with birdie on first extra hole

Major championships

Wins (1)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
1992 U.S. Open 1 shot deficit−3 (71-72-70-72=285)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jeff Sluman

Results timeline

Tournament1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
Masters Tournament T42T27T10T5T3T185
U.S. Open CUTT19T8CUTCUTT27T20CUT
The Open Championship T5T2T30
PGA Championship T39T33T13T13CUTT35
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament T6T5T5T2T6CUTT2T2444T18
U.S. Open CUTT2029T20CUT13T35T46T36T9
The Open Championship T27CUTT29T22T8CUTT72T20T19
PGA Championship T20T4T9T67T34T12T26T10T4T34
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
Masters Tournament T1456CUT4CUTCUT238
U.S. Open T56T371CUTT33T67T82T68T43T60
The Open Championship CUTT44T19T14T8T58T27T10T38
PGA Championship T40T52T21T56T9T54CUT5CUTCUT
Tournament20002001200220032004
Masters Tournament CUT
U.S. Open T32T5CUTCUTT57
The Open Championship T70
PGA Championship T19CUT
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1982 Open Championship)
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament 031912162621
U.S. Open 1002493324
The Open Championship 01025102219
PGA Championship 00036122823
Totals14116274710987

The Players Championship

Wins (1)

YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
1989 The Players Championship 1 shot deficit−9 (69-70-69-71=279)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Chip Beck

Results timeline

Tournament197419751976197719781979
The Players Championship T19T40T17CUTT28T9
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
The Players Championship T31T27T27T51T64T4T9T111
Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
The Players Championship T5CUTT35CUTT9T43CUTCUTT25T77
Tournament200020012002
The Players Championship T66T44T36
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Senior major championships

Wins (1)

YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunners-up
2000 The Countrywide Tradition −8 (66-71-71-72=280)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Larry Nelson, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson

Results timeline

Results not in chronological order before 2021.

Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
The Tradition 1T24T7T2T4T36T4T4T18T11
Senior PGA Championship T2T23T15T10T121T10T40T7T13T14
U.S. Senior Open 3153T12T3T37T55T22T12CUT
Senior Players Championship 6T10T10T2T7T39T9T25T21T47
Senior British Open Championship 4T2CUTT10T10T16T8
Tournament2010201120122013201420152016201720182019
The Tradition T5415T47T60T5972T69T6872WD
Senior PGA Championship T29CUTCUTT28CUTCUTCUTCUTCUT
U.S. Senior Open T8T29T12T44T14CUTCUTWD
Senior Players Championship T16T1752T2779WD7476
Senior British Open Championship T49T24T14
Tournament20202021
The Tradition NT78
Senior PGA Championship NTCUT
Senior Players Championship
U.S. Senior Open NT
Senior British Open Championship NT
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the halfway cut
WD = withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place
NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic
Note: The Senior British Open was not a Champions Tour major until 2003.

U.S. national team appearances

Amateur

Professional

See also

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References

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  2. "69 Players Who Have Reached The Top-10 In World Ranking". Official World Golf Ranking. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 17, 2015. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  3. "Surgery has opened up a whole new world to Kite". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on October 10, 2011.
  4. "Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of the Master's". MSNBC. Associated Press. April 3, 2009. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012.
  5. "Short-iron specialist Kite surges past the $8m mark". The Herald . March 1, 1993. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  6. Kupelian, Vartan (July 12, 2012). "Kite rewrites USGA record books with front-nine 28". PGA Tour. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  7. "2012 USGA Media Guide: USGA Superlatives" (PDF). USGA. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
  8. Sens, Josh (May 1, 2018). "Get in the … D'oh! The 7 best golf scenes from The Simpsons". Golf.com. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  9. "Which players will reach the HOF?". ESPN. April 18, 2007.