Kurt Kitayama holds off Sam Stevens to win 3M Open with brother on the bag

With his older brother Daniel on the bag, the 32-year-old American carded a six-under-par 65 to finish at 23-under 261 over 72 holes at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota - enough to edge fellow American Sam Stevens by a single stroke.

Kitayama, who had battled just to make the cut on Friday, surged into contention with a career-low 60 on Saturday. Over the weekend, he racked up 20 birdies - the most by a PGA Tour winner in the final two rounds since 2003.

"I feel like the game has been trending and for it to finally pay off now has been awesome," said Kitayama.

"On Friday I was like finding my swing and grinding to make the cut. Went to the range to find something and obviously found something on Saturday and it continued today with that unbelievable start that I had. Just kind of went from there."

His previous Tour win came at Bay Hill in 2023, but this time, with his brother by his side, the victory felt even sweeter.

"It's very special. It has been awesome having him on the bag," Kitayama said.

Kitayama's victory vaulted from 110th to 53rd in the FedEx Cup standings, securing him a place in the top 70 that qualify for next month's playoffs.

He raced to 23-under with a three-shot lead by the turn, thanks to birdies at the first, second, third, fifth, sixth, and eighth.

A bogey at 11 momentarily stalled his charge, but he rebounded with further birdies on 12 and 14 to maintain breathing room.

Stevens applied late pressure with five back-nine birdies, including three in a row to reach 22-under, while Kitayama three-putted for bogey at the par-three 17th to set up a tense finish.

After Stevens salvaged par from the rough on 18, Kitayama found a greenside bunker with his second shot, blasted to 17 feet, and calmly two-putted for par to seal the win.