Born:
Dec. 9, 1949, in McKinney, Texas
Tour Victories:
• PGA Tour: 19
• Senior PGA Tour: 7
Major Championships:
1
• U.S. Open: 1992
Awards and Honors:
• Member, World Golf Hall of Fame
• PGA Tour money leader, 1981, 1989
• PGA Tour Vardon Trophy winner, 1981, 1982
• PGA Tour Player of the Year, 1989
• Member, 7 U.S. Ryder Cup teams
• Captain, U.S. team, 1997 Ryder Cup
Quote, Unquote:
• Tom Kite: "Discipline and concentration are a matter of being interested."
Tom Kite Biography:
Tom Kite was one of the most consistent money winners during his best years on the PGA Tour. He was known for his excellent short game and was one of the first modern pros to begin carrying a third wedge (in addition to his pitching and sand wedges).
Kite was born near Dallas and began playing golf at age 6, winning his first tournament at age 11. His family moved to Austin where Kite met Ben Crenshaw, both being pupils of teacher Harvey Penick.
Kite and Crenshaw played against each other countless times in high school, then both attended the University of Texas where they tied to share the 1972 NCAA Championship.
Kite turned pro late in 1972 and was named Rookie of the Year in 1973 by Golf Digest. His first PGA Tour win came in 1976.
In the 1980s, few players matched Kite's consistency. Most of his 19 career victories came during that time period. He won the Vardon Trophy for low scoring average in 1981 and 1982; the money title in 1981 and 1989; and Player of the Year in 1989.
His only major, the U.S. Open, came in brutal conditions at the 1992 U.S. Open.
Kite joined the Senior PGA Tour in 2000, where he continued raking in the money. In 2001, the 52-year-old Kite finished fifth at the U.S. Open - the best finish by a senior in a major since Sam Snead placed third at the 1974 PGA.
Kite has co-authored several instructional books and appeared in instructional videos. He has developed a well-respected golf course design business.
Tom Kite was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.
