Kurt Kitayama overcame a triple bogey and beat out a star-packed field to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational for his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday, March 5, in Orlando, Fla.
Kitayama recovered to shoot an even-par 72, making a vital birdie at No. 17 and a memorable par at No. 18 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, finishing 9-under 279 to beat star Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Harris English by a single shot.
The likes of Scottie Scheffler (73 Sunday), Patrick Cantlay (68), Jordan Spieth (70) and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton (72) were tied for fourth two back at 7 under.
The 30-year-old from California had won tournaments on the Asian and European tours, but his best showings on the PGA Tour were three runner-up finishes….