Tom Kite
The main tournament wins for Tom Kite are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
America
Boeing
Played as the Boeing Classic (Aug 22-24). Second-placed Scott Simpson (USA) finished 2 shots behind Tom Kite (USA), who won this event for the second time in three years, and recorded the last of his ten Champions Tour victories. [Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, nr Seattle, Washington; at the time TPC Snoqualmie Ridge].
America
AT&T
Played as the AT&T Classic (March 10-12; formerly SBC Classic). Second-placed Gil Morgan (USA) finished 5 shots behind Kite (USA). [Valencia CC, nr Santa Clarita, California].
America
Boeing
Played as the Boeing Greater Seattle Classic (Aug 18-20). Tom Kite (USA) beat Keith Fergus (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, nr Seattle, Washington; at the time TPC Snoqualmie Ridge].
America
3M
Played as the 3M Championship (Aug 6-8). Second-placed Craig Stadler (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kite (USA). [TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, nr Minneapolis, Minn.].
America
SBC
Played as the SBC Senior Classic (March 1-3). Kite (USA) beat Tom Watson (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [Valencia CC, nr Santa Clarita, California].
America
MasterCard
Played as the MasterCard Championship (Jan 17-20; Senior PGA Tour season-opener). Second-placed John Jacobs (USA) finished 6 shots behind Tom Kite (USA). [Hualālai course, Hualālai Resort, Big Island, Hawaii].
America
Beringer
Played as the Napa Valley Championship presented by Beringer Vineyards (Oct 11-13; a one-off event, previously The Transamerica). Second-placed Bruce Fleisher (USA) and Fred Gibson (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kite (USA). [South course, Silverado Resort, Napa, California].
America
x
Played as the Gold Rush Classic (Sept 28-30). Second-placed Allen Doyle (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kite (USA). [Serrano CC, El Dorado Hills, nr Sacramento, CA].
Majors
Countrywide
Played as the Countrywide Tradition (Mar 30-Apr 2). First-time Snr PGA Tour winner Kite (USA) beat Tom Watson (USA) with a birdie at the sixth playoff hole; Larry Nelson (USA) was eliminated at the second playoff hole. [Cochise course, Desert Mountain GC, Scottsdale, AZ].
America
SBC
Played as the SBC Senior Open (June 9-11). Second-placed Bruce Fleisher (USA) finished 2 shots behind Kite (USA). [Kemper Lakes GC, Kildeer, nr Chicago, Illinois].
America
Franklin Templeton
Played as the Franklin Templeton Shark Shootout (Nov 15-17; played over three rounds: 1-alternate shot; 2-better ball; 3-scramble). Second-placed team of Craig Stadler (USA) & Lanny Wadkins (USA) finished 2 shots behind the winning team of Jay Haas (USA) & Tom Kite (USA). [Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, nr LA, Calif.].
Europe
Oki
Played as the Oki Pro-Am (Oct 10-13). Second-placed Ángel Cabrera (Arg) finished 1 shot behind Kite (USA), who recorded the second of his two European Tour wins. [No.1 & 2 courses, Golf La Moraleja, Alcobendas, nr Madrid].
America
Chrysler
Played as the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic (Feb 10-14). Second-placed Rick Fehr (USA) finished 6 shots behind Kite (USA). [Palmer (private) course, PGA West, La Quinta, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Bermuda Dunes CC; Indian Wells CC; Tamarisk CC].
America
Nissan
Played as the Nissan Los Angeles Open (Feb 25-28). Second-placed Dave Barr (Can), Fred Couples (USA), Donnie Hammond (USA) and Payne Stewart (USA) finished 3 shots behind Kite (USA), who recorded the last of his 19 PGA Tour wins. Event reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather. [Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA].
Majors
USGA
The US Open (92nd) (June 18-21). Second-placed Jeff Sluman (USA) finished 2 shots behind first-time major championship winner Kite (USA). [Pebble Beach Golf Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA].
America
BellSouth
Played as the BellSouth Classic (May 7-10). Second-placed Jay Don Blake (USA) finished 3 shots behind Kite (USA). [Atlanta CC, Marietta, Georgia].
America
Franklin Funds
Played as the Franklin Funds Shark Shootout (Nov 13-15; played over three rounds: 1-alternate shot; 2-better ball; 3-scramble). Second-placed team of Fred Couples (USA) & Ray Floyd (USA) finished 1 shot behind the winning team of Tom Kite (USA) & Davis Love III (USA). [Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, nr LA, Calif.].
America
Infiniti
Played as the Infiniti Tournament of Champions (Jan 3-6; PGA Tour season opener). Second-placed Lanny Wadkins (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kite (USA). [North course, La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, Calif. Now known as Champions course].
America
FedEx
Played as the Federal Express St Jude Classic (Aug 2-5). Kite (USA) beat John Cook (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN].
Played as The Nestle Invitational (March 9-12). Kite (USA) beat Davis Love III (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [Bay Hill Club, Orlando, FL].
America
x
Played as The Players Championship (March 16-19). Second-placed Chip Beck (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kite (USA), who recorded back-to-back PGA Tour wins. [Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL].
America
Nabisco
Played as the Nabisco Championship (Oct 26-29). Kite (USA) beat Payne Stewart (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole (par-3 17th). [Harbour Town Links, Hilton Head, SC].
Awards
PGA Tour
Kite (USA) won his second Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour 1989 leading money winner, with earnings of $1,395,278 on the Tour. Payne Stewart (USA) was second with $1,201,301; Paul Azinger (USA) was third with $951,649.
Awards
PGA of America
Kite (USA) won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).
America
Kemper Insurance
Played as the Kemper Open (June 4-7). Second-placed Chris Perry (USA) and Howard Twitty (USA) finished 7 shots behind Tom Kite (USA), who recorded his tenth PGA Tour win. [TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm, Potomac, nr Washington DC. At the time known as TPC Avenel].
Japan
Kirin
Played as the Kirin Cup World Championship (individual title) (Nov 5-8; best individual score during this event for teams representing the world's four leading men's PGA tours: USA, Britain, Japan, Australasia). Second-placed Payne Stewart (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tom Kite (USA). [Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, Tokyo, Japan].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (July 31-Aug 3). Tom Kite (USA) beat Fred Couples (USA), David Frost (RSA) and Nick Price (Zim) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Butler National GC, Oak Brook, IL].
America
MONY
Played as the MONY Tournament of Champions (May 2-5). Second-placed Mark McCumber (USA) finished 6 shots behind Kite (USA). [North course, La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, Calif. Now known as Champions course].
America
Georgia-Pacific
Played as the Georgia-Pacific Atlanta Golf Classic (June 21-24). Second-placed Don Pooley (USA) finished 5 shots behind Kite (USA). [Atlanta CC, Marietta, Georgia].
Played as the Doral-Eastern Open (March 8-11). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 2 shots behind Tom Kite (USA). [Blue Monster course, Doral Resort, Miami, FL].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Feb 3-6). Second-placed Rex Caldwell (USA) and Calvin Peete (USA) finished 2 shots behind Kite (USA), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].
Played as the Bay Hill Classic (March 4-7). Kite (USA) beat Jack Nicklaus (USA) and Denis Watson (Zim) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Bay Hill Club, Orlando, FL].
Awards
PGA of America
Kite (USA) won his second straight PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour (over a minimum of 80 rounds). Calvin Peete (USA) was second with 70.33; Curtis Strange (USA) was third with 70.39.
Kite (USA) won his second straight PGA Tour Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average (over a minimum of 50 rounds). Calvin Peete (USA) was second with 70.33; Curtis Strange (USA) was third with 70.39.
America
American Motors
Played as the American Motors Inverrary Classic (March 5-8). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 1 shot behind Kite (USA). [East course, Inverrary CC, Ft Lauderdale, FL].
Played as the JCPenney Mixed Team Classic (Dec 3-6; two-person team event; one PGA Tr, one LPGA Tr). Second placed Vance Heafner (USA) & Cathy Morse (USA) finished 2 shots behind winning team of Tom Kite (USA) & Beth Daniel (USA). [Bardmoor CC, Largo, FL].
Awards
PGA of America
Kite (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour (over a minimum of 80 rounds). Bruce Lietzke (USA) was second with 70.01; Raymond Floyd (USA) was third with 70.20.
Kite (USA) won the PGA Tour Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average (over a minimum of 50 rounds). Bruce Lietzke (USA) was second with 70.01; Raymond Floyd (USA) was third with 70.20.
Awards
PGA Tour
Kite (USA) won the inaugural Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour leading money winner, with 1981 season earnings of $375,699 on the Tour. Raymond Floyd (USA) was second with $359,360; Tom Watson (USA) was third with $347,660.
Europe
x
Played as the European Open Championship (Sept 4-7). Second-placed Lon Hinkle (USA) and Leonard Thompson (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time European Tour winner Kite (USA). [Composite course (predominantly based on the Old course), Walton Heath GC, Walton on the Hill, Surrey].
Played as the B.C. Open (Sept 1-4). Second-placed Mark Hayes (USA) finished 5 shots behind wire-to-wire winner Kite (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. Monday finish. [En-Joie GC, Endicott, NY].
America
IVB
Played as the IVB Bicentennial Golf Classic (June 3-6). 26-year-old Tom Kite (USA) beat Terry Diehl (USA) with a par at the fifth playoff hole, to record his first PGA Tour win. [Whitemarsh Valley CC, Lafayette Hill, nr Philadelphia, PA].
Aus/NZ
x
Played as the City of Auckland Classic (Nov 14-17). Second-placed Stewart Ginn (Aus) finished 7 shots behind Kite (USA).
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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