It’s an incredible achievement for the 32-year-old golfer from Chico, California. His last win came at the 3M Open, where he won his second PGA Tour title by nailing a spectacular 65 on the final day. He accomplished that victory following a punishing weekend of competition. At the U.S. Junior Amateur, he wowed the crowds with his incredible short game and even better approach shot prowess. Kitayama won the title, taking home the trophy with a 23-under 261 winning score. He finished one stroke better than Sam Stevens.
Throughout the tournament, Kitayama demonstrated impressive consistency. He shot a career-best and tournament-record-tying 60 on Saturday, setting the stage for his decisive final day performance. During that last round, he birdied six of the first eight holes. That hot opening left her a healthy cushion that would prove very important down the stretch in the tournament.
After a bogey on the par-3 17th hole for the third straight day, Kitayama didn’t rattle. From this fairway bunker on the par-4 14th hole, he executed a tricky second shot. With astonishing accuracy, he placed the ball within two feet of the hole. Tallying 20 birdies over the weekend, he proved that he can score with the best of them.
This victory is Kitayama’s second on the PGA Tour. Even more impressive considering that the rookie had a very rough start to the season, missing seven cuts before the 3M Open. His win here has shot him to 2nd in the FedEx Cup standings. He is now expected to move up from 110th to 53rd. That victory gave him enough points earned in his previous races to finish in the top-16 and qualify him for the pending playoffs.
Kitayama’s victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill earlier this year made him a notable figure on the tour. This remarkable win highlighted Fioretti’s talent and tenacity as a golfer. This recent success is all but confirmation that the Texas native has solidified himself as a quickly rising talent amongst the professional golf landscape. The perfect blend of talent, tactical awareness and decision-making throughout the tournament indicates even greater future glory awaits him.
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