Kurt Kitayama Captures Stunning Victory At 2025 3M Open in Blaine
BLAINE, MN – In a weekend turnaround that defied expectations, American golfer Kurt Kitayama clinched his second PGA Tour title at the 2025 3M Open, finishing at 23 under par to edge out Sam Stevens by a single stroke at the TPC Twin Cities course in Blaine.
Kitayama’s victory was as unexpected as it was electric. After narrowly making the cut at one-over par on Friday, the 32-year-old staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent tournament history. A third-round score of 60, which tied the course record, catapulted him into contention and set the stage for a dramatic final round.
A Weekend to Remember
Sunday’s final round saw Kitayama fire a bogey-free 65, with six birdies in the first eight holes, including a chip-in on the par-4 third hole. His front-nine 29 matched the lowest of the week and gave him an early cushion that he managed to protect through the back nine.
The pivotal moment came on the par-4 14th hole. Facing a 192-yard shot from a fairway bunker, Kitayama delivered a perfect 7-iron that nestled two feet from the cup—resulting in a birdie that extended his lead and signaled the closing act of his comeback.
Though he bogeyed the 17th, he steadied himself to make par at the 18th and secure the win at 23-under 261, the third-best 72-hole score in tournament history.
Sam Stevens Falls Just Short
Sam Stevens mounted a serious charge with a final-round 66, fueled by five birdies on the back nine. He reached 22 under par, but a missed birdie putt from just 15 inches on the 18th green kept him from forcing a playoff—a moment he described as “gutting” in the post-round interview.
“It’s hard to complain too much,” Stevens said. “Kurt played incredible golf and deserved the win.”
A Family Affair
Adding personal significance to the victory, Kitayama had his older brother, Daniel Kitayama, on the bag. It was only the second time this season the two had teamed up.
“Having my brother there kept me calm,” Kitayama said. “It was special to share this moment with him.”
FedExCup Impact and Career Milestone
With the win, Kitayama jumped from 110th to 53rd in the FedExCup standings, securing a spot in the season’s playoffs and revitalizing a year that had seen only two previous top-10 finishes in 19 starts.
Statistically, Kitayama’s weekend was historic. He made 20 birdies over the final two rounds—the most by a winner in nearly two decades—and 32 birdies overall, tying for the third-most in a four-round PGA Tour event since 1983.
This marks Kitayama’s second PGA Tour victory, following his win at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. A former standout at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he now adds the 3M Open trophy to his rising career résumé.
Final Leaderboard – Top Finishers
Position
Player
Score
1
Kurt Kitayama
-23 (261)
2
Sam Stevens
-22
T3
Jake Knapp
-21
T4
Matt Wallace
-20
T4
David Lipsky
-20
T4
Pierceson Coody
-20
About the 3M Open
Held annually at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, the 3M Open is Minnesota’s premier PGA Tour stop and a major economic and cultural event for the Twin Cities region. Since its debut in 2019, the tournament has brought elite golf and global attention to Minnesota, while also supporting local charities and youth development programs through the 3M Open Fund.
Community Note
MinneapoliMedia celebrates this major sports milestone for our state and congratulates Kurt Kitayama on his resilient performance. His journey from nearly missing the cut to lifting the trophy is a reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn—with grit, focus, and heart.
76° and Sunny
