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Kurt Kitayama captured his second PGA Tour victory at the 2025 3M Open with a dramatic weekend comeback. After shooting a course-record-tying 60 on Saturday and following up with a 65 on Sunday, Kitayama finished at 23-under-par 261 to win by one stroke over Sam Stevens. The California native earned $1,512,000 from the total purse of $8.4 million, marking his first victory since the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Kitayama's weekend surge included 20 birdies over the final two rounds at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota.
2025 PGA Tour 3M Open Prize Money Breakdown: Kurt Kitayama Wins $1.512M, Complete Payouts
🏆 Tournament Overview & Champion Profile
The 2025 3M Open concluded with one of the most impressive weekend performances of the PGA Tour season. Kurt Kitayama, who barely made the cut after the first two rounds, stormed back with rounds of 60-65 to capture his second career PGA Tour victory.
Starting the weekend eight shots behind the leaders, Kitayama's 11-under 60 on Saturday tied the tournament record set by Adam Svensson in the first round. His final-round 65 was equally impressive, featuring key shots including a crucial fairway bunker shot that set up a critical birdie.
The victory moves Kitayama from 110th to 53rd in the FedEx Cup standings, securing his spot in the first playoff event and positioning him well for a potential top-50 finish that would qualify him for the BMW Championship.
💰 Complete 2025 3M Open Prize Money Distribution
| Position | Player | Score | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kurt Kitayama | -23 | $1,512,000 |
| 2 | Sam Stevens | -22 | $915,600 |
| T3 | David Lipsky | -20 | $410,025 |
| T3 | Matt Wallace | -20 | $410,025 |
| T3 | Jake Knapp | -20 | $410,025 |
| T3 | Pierceson Coody | -20 | $410,025 |
| T7 | Alex Noren | -19 | $263,900 |
| T7 | William Mouw | -19 | $263,900 |
| T7 | Takumi Kanaya | -19 | $263,900 |
| T10 | Noah Goodwin | -18 | $220,500 |
| T10 | Chris Gotterup | -18 | $220,500 |
| T12 | Wyndham Clark | -17 | $186,900 |
| T12 | Taylor Montgomery | -17 | $186,900 |
| T14 | Mac Meissner | -16 | $140,700 |
| T14 | Adam Svensson | -16 | $140,700 |
| T14 | Jesper Svensson | -16 | $140,700 |
| T14 | Chris Kirk | -16 | $140,700 |
| T14 | Taylor Moore | -16 | $140,700 |
| T14 | Thorbjørn Olesen | -16 | $140,700 |
| T20 | Gary Woodland | -15 | $95,508 |
| T20 | Ben Kohles | -15 | $95,508 |
| T20 | Brendon Todd | -15 | $95,508 |
| T20 | Emiliano Grillo | -15 | $95,508 |
| T20 | Christiaan Bezuidenhout | -15 | $95,508 |
| T25 | Akshay Bhatia | -14 | $69,020 |
| T25 | Thomas Rosenmueller | -14 | $69,020 |
| T25 | Harry Higgs | -14 | $69,020 |
| T28 | Tom Kim | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Nate Lashley | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Nick Hardy | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Rickie Fowler | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Victor Perez | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Seamus Power | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Chad Ramey | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Carson Young | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Cameron Champ | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Kevin Roy | -13 | $50,591 |
| T28 | Kevin Kisner | -13 | $50,591 |
| T39 | Garrick Higgo | -12 | $34,860 |
| T39 | Grayson Sigg | -12 | $34,860 |
| T39 | Max Homa | -12 | $34,860 |
| T39 | Austin Eckroat | -12 | $34,860 |
| T39 | Joel Dahmen | -12 | $34,860 |
| T44 | Michael La Russo | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Matthieu Pavon | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Adam Hadwin | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Alex Smalley | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Zac Blair | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Jhonattan Vegas | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Joseph Bramlett | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Troy Merritt | -11 | $24,696 |
| T44 | Patrick Fishburn | -11 | $24,696 |
| T53 | Mackenzie Hughes | -10 | $20,118 |
| T53 | Isaiah Salinda | -10 | $20,118 |
| T53 | Adam Scott | -10 | $20,118 |
| T53 | Camilo Villegas | -10 | $20,118 |
| T57 | David Skinns | -9 | $19,320 |
| T57 | Rico Hoey | -9 | $19,320 |
| T57 | Brice Garnett | -9 | $19,320 |
| T57 | Vincent Whaley | -9 | $19,320 |
| T61 | Luke Clanton | -8 | $18,396 |
| T61 | Mark Hubbard | -8 | $18,396 |
| T61 | Matthias Schmid | -8 | $18,396 |
| T61 | Ben Silverman | -8 | $18,396 |
| T61 | Sam Burns | -8 | $18,396 |
| T61 | Cristobal del Solar | -8 | $18,396 |
| T61 | Trevor Cone | -8 | $18,396 |
| T68 | Nicklas Norgaard Moller | -7 | $17,472 |
| T68 | Matthew McCarty | -7 | $17,472 |
| T68 | Sam Ryder | -7 | $17,472 |
| T68 | Taylor Pendrith | -7 | $17,472 |
| T72 | Antoine Rozner | -5 | $16,968 |
| T72 | Henrik Norlander | -5 | $16,968 |
| 74 | Stephen Fisk | -4 | $16,716 |
| 75 | David Ford | -3 | $16,548 |
| 76 | Taylor Dickson | -2 | $16,380 |
Total Purse: $8,400,000 | Winner's Share: 18% | Cut Made: 76 players
🌟 Kurt Kitayama: Career Profile & Achievement
Personal Information
- Full Name: Kurt Shun Kitayama
- Age: 32 (Born January 14, 1993)
- Birthplace: Chico, California
- Height: 5'6" (170 cm)
- Turned Professional: 2015
- PGA Tour Member Since: 2022
Professional Victories
🏆 PGA Tour Wins (2)
- 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational - Won by 1 shot over Rory McIlroy at 9-under 279
- 2025 3M Open - Won by 1 shot over Sam Stevens at 23-under 261
🌍 Other Professional Wins
- 2018 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open (Asian Tour)
- 2019 Oman Open (European Tour)
Career Earnings
With this victory, Kitayama has earned over $7.8 million in his PGA Tour career. The $1.512 million winner's check represents his largest single-tournament payday and moves him significantly up the career money list.
⚡ Tournament Highlights & Key Performances
Kitayama's Weekend Surge
- Saturday Round 3: 11-under 60 (tied course record)
- Sunday Round 4: 6-under 65
- Weekend Total: 17-under par with 20 birdies
- Key Shot: Fairway bunker shot to set up crucial birdie
Notable Performances by Other Contenders
Sam Stevens (2nd, -22)
Stevens made a strong charge with five birdies on the back nine Sunday but couldn't catch Kitayama. His runner-up finish was his ninth top-25 and third top-10 of the season, moving him to 27th in FedEx Cup standings.
Jake Knapp (T3, -20)
Knapp continues to knock on the door for his second PGA Tour victory. Despite a bogey on 18, he moved inside the top 50 in FedEx Cup standings (47th), positioning himself well for the playoffs.
Thorbjørn Olesen (T14, -16)
The Dane led after Friday and Saturday but struggled to a 73 in the final round. His hopes of becoming the first Danish winner on the PGA Tour were dashed as he slipped to T14.
Akshay Bhatia (T25, -14)
Started the final round in the lead but struggled off the tee early, making seven bogeys to fall from contention. Dropped from T1 to T25, affecting his FedEx Cup position.
📈 Tournament Statistics & Course Records
Course Information
- Venue: TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota
- Par: 71 (7,431 yards)
- Field Size: 156 players
- Cut: +1 (76 players made the cut)
- Weather: Generally favorable with some wind challenges
Notable Records & Statistics
- Course Record: 60 (-11) - Adam Svensson (Round 1) & Kurt Kitayama (Round 3)
- Winning Score: 261 (-23) - Kurt Kitayama
- Largest Weekend Comeback: Kitayama (8 shots behind after Round 2)
- Total Prize Money: $8,400,000
- FedEx Cup Points (Winner): 500
Driving Distance & Accuracy Leaders
Kitayama ranked 31st in driving distance (300.7 yards) but was tied for 1st in driving accuracy (69.64%) and greens in regulation (70.83%), showcasing the precision that led to his victory.
🏁 FedEx Cup Playoffs Implications
Major Movements
- Kurt Kitayama: Jumped from 110th to 53rd - secured playoff spot
- Sam Stevens: Moved to 27th - strong position for Tour Championship
- Jake Knapp: Rose to 47th - inside top 50 bubble for BMW Championship
- Chris Gotterup: Climbed to 20th after third straight top-10
Playoff Picture
With only the Wyndham Championship remaining in the regular season, players outside the top 70 face elimination from the playoffs. The top 70 advance to the FedEx St. Jude Championship, with the top 50 moving on to the BMW Championship and the top 30 reaching the Tour Championship.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much did Kurt Kitayama win at the 3M Open?
A: Kitayama earned $1,512,000 for his victory, which represents 18% of the total purse of $8.4 million.
Q: What was the course record at TPC Twin Cities?
A: The course record of 60 (-11) was tied twice during the tournament - first by Adam Svensson in Round 1, then matched by Kurt Kitayama in Round 3.
Q: How many players made the cut at the 3M Open?
A: 76 players made the cut at +1 or better. The cut was relatively high due to favorable scoring conditions throughout the week.
Q: What does this victory mean for Kitayama's season?
A: The victory secures Kitayama's spot in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and gives him a chance to qualify for all signature events next season if he finishes in the top 50.
Q: Who finished second and how much did they earn?
A: Sam Stevens finished second at 22-under par, earning $915,600 for his runner-up finish.
🎯 Conclusion & What's Next
Kurt Kitayama's victory at the 2025 3M Open serves as a perfect example of perseverance paying off in professional golf. After a difficult start to his PGA Tour career and just barely making the cut, his weekend performance will be remembered as one of the most impressive comebacks of the 2025 season.
The $1.512 million payday significantly boosts Kitayama's career earnings and secures his playing privileges for next season. More importantly, it positions him well for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, where he'll look to build on this momentum.
📅 Looking Ahead
The PGA Tour now moves to the Wyndham Championship (August 1-4) for the final regular season event before the FedEx Cup Playoffs begin. Players outside the top 70 will be fighting for their playoff lives, while those safely in will be positioning themselves for the Tour Championship and the $25 million FedEx Cup bonus.
💡 Key Takeaway: Kitayama's weekend surge proves that no deficit is insurmountable in professional golf, and his precision over power approach paid dividends at TPC Twin Cities.
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