Who's who: Tom Kite

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Tom Kite

  • Name:

    Thomas Oliver "Tom" Kite Jr
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    Dec 9, 1949 in McKinney, Collin County, Texas.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Austin, Texas
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer, course designer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1972
  • Website:

    https://www.tomkitedesign.com

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1). Senior MAJORS (1). Walker Cup player (1971). Ryder Cup player (1979, '81, '83, '85, '87, '89, '93). Ryder Cup captain (1997). Total professional wins (38), including PGA Tour (19), European Tour (2) and Champions Tour (10). PGA Tour leading money winner (1981, 1989). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2004).

Golf course design

Tom Kite Design have been responsible for designing and building several top-quality courses, which include (but are not limited to): Liberty National (NJ, with Bob Cupp); Trump International (Puerto Rico); Vanderbilt Legends (Tenn, with Bob Cupp); Gaillardia CC (Oklahoma); Somersett CC (NV); Comanche Trace (TX).

Did you know?

Kite attended the University of Texas on a golf scholarship and while there was coached by Harvey Penick (as was fellow Hall of Famer and Texas alumni Ben Crenshaw). Kite turned professional in 1972 and has been a consistent money winner on the US PGA and Champions Tours ever since.

Top tournaments won by Tom Kite

2008
America
202 (-14)
$255,000
Boeing

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

202 (-14)

Prize money

$255,000

Title sponsor

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].

2006
America
201 (-15)
$240,000
Boeing

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

201 (-15)

Prize money

$240,000

Title sponsor

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].

2006
America
Valencia CC, Calif.
204 (-12)
$240,000
AT&T

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Valencia CC, Calif.

Score

204 (-12)

Prize money

$240,000

Title sponsor

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].

2004
America
203 (-13)
$262,500
3M

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

203 (-13)

Prize money

$262,500

Title sponsor

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.].

2002
America
Valencia CC, Calif.
212 (-4)
$217,500
SBC

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Valencia CC, Calif.

Score

212 (-4)

Prize money

$217,500

Title sponsor

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].

2002
America
204 (-12)
$195,000
Beringer

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

204 (-12)

Prize money

$195,000

Title sponsor

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].

2002
America
199 (-17)
$258,000
MasterCard

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

199 (-17)

Prize money

$258,000

Title sponsor

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].

2001
America
Serrano CC
194 (-22)
$195,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Serrano CC

Score

194 (-22)

Prize money

$195,000

Title sponsor

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].

2000
America
Kemper Lakes
207 (-9)
$210,000
SBC

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Kemper Lakes

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$210,000

Title sponsor

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].

2000
Majors
280 (-8)
$240,000
Countrywide

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

$240,000

Title sponsor

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].

1996
Europe
273 (-15)
£74,500
Oki

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

£74,500

Title sponsor

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].

1996
America
187 (-29)
$150,000
Franklin Templeton

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

187 (-29)

Prize money

$150,000

Title sponsor

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.].

1993
America
206 (-7)
$180,000
Nissan

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

206 (-7)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

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].

1993
America
PGA West (Palmer)
325 (-35)
$198,000
Chrysler

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

PGA West (Palmer)

Score

325 (-35)

Prize money

$198,000

Title sponsor

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].

1992
Majors
285 (-3)
$275,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

285 (-3)

Prize money

$275,000

Title sponsor

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].

1992
America
Atlanta CC
272 (-16)
$180,000
BellSouth

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Atlanta CC

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

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].

1992
America
191 (-25)
$150,000
Franklin Funds

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

191 (-25)

Prize money

$150,000

Title sponsor

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.].

1991
America
272 (-16)
$144,000
Infiniti

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$144,000

Title sponsor

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].

1990
America
269 (-15)
$180,000
FedEx

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

269 (-15)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

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].

1989
Awards
x
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

x

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

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).

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

$243,000

Title sponsor

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].

1989
America
276 (-8)
$450,000
Nabisco

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

276 (-8)

Prize money

$450,000

Title sponsor

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].

1989
Awards
$1,395,278
see Score
PGA Tour

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

$1,395,278

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

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.

1989
America
278 (-6)
$144,000
Nestle

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

$144,000

Title sponsor

Nestle

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].

1987
America
270 (-14)
$126,000
Kemper Insurance

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

$126,000

Title sponsor

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].

1987
Japan
Tokyo Yomiuri CC
272 (-16)
$35,000
Kirin

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Tokyo Yomiuri CC

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$35,000

Title sponsor

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].

1986
America
286 (-2)
$90,000
WGA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

286 (-2)

Prize money

$90,000

Title sponsor

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].

1985
America
275 (-13)
$72,000
MONY

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$72,000

Title sponsor

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].

1984
America
Atlanta CC
269 (-19)
$72,000
Georgia-Pacific

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Atlanta CC

Score

269 (-19)

Prize money

$72,000

Title sponsor

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].

1984
America
272 (-16)
$72,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$72,000

Title sponsor

x

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].

1983
America
276 (-12)
$58,500
Bing Crosby

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

$58,500

Title sponsor

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].

1982
America
278 (-6)
$54,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

x

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].

1982
Awards
70.21
n/a
PGA Tour

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

70.21

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA Tour

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.

1982
Awards
70.21
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

70.21

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

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.

1981
America
270 (-18)
$50,000
JCPenney

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

270 (-18)

Prize money

$50,000

Title sponsor

JCPenney

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].

1981
Awards
69.80
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

69.80

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

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.

1981
Awards
69.80
n/a
PGA Tour

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

69.80

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA Tour

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.

1981
Awards
$375,699
see Score
PGA Tour

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

$375,699

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

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.

1981
America
274 (-14)
$54,000
American Motors

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

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].

1980
Europe
284 (-8)
£17,500
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Score

284 (-8)

Prize money

£17,500

Title sponsor

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].

1978
America
267 (-17)
$45,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

En-Joie

Score

267 (-17)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

x

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].

1976
America
Whitemarsh Valley
277 (-7)
$40,000
IVB

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Whitemarsh Valley

Score

277 (-7)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

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].

1974
Aus/NZ
268 (-16)
NZ$6,500
x

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Kite, Tom

Venue

Score

268 (-16)

Prize money

NZ$6,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the City of Auckland Classic (Nov 14-17). Second-placed Stewart Ginn (Aus) finished 7 shots behind Kite (USA).

Find a course

Or

Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

Who's Who

Céline Boutier: with many successes as both an amateur and professional golfer, Boutier added a major championship title to her impressive résumé at this year’s Evian Championship.

Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

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

Popular videos

You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.

Hamburger GC - Falkenstein, Germany

WINSTONgolf - Links course

Littlestone Golf Club (Kent, UK)