Kurt Kitayama Ties Major Record with Final-Round 63 at 2026 PGA Championship
At the 2026 PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, American golfer Kurt Kitayama shot a historic, bogey-free final-round 63. This performance tied the major championship record for the lowest final-round score and marked only the second time this feat has been achieved in PGA Championship history. Capitalizing on calmer winds and exceptional putting, Kitayama surged 57 spots on the leaderboard to finish tied for seventh place. Although he did not win the tournament, his remarkable comeback highlighted significant athletic resilience and skill under pressure at Aronimink Golf Club.
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Kitayama Ties Major Record for Lowest Final-Round Score at PGA Championship
Kurt Kitayama delivered a historic performance at the PGA Championship held at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, by shooting a seven-under-par 63 in the final round. This score tied the major championship record for the lowest final-round score and marked only the second time a player has achieved this feat in the history of the PGA Championship, joining Brad Faxon from 1995. Kitayama, who started the day ten shots behind the 54-hole leader Alex Smalley, produced a bogey-free round featuring seven birdies. He attributed his success to exceptional putting, humorously crediting the "putter God" and stating that his putter "carried" him through the day. His impressive surge moved him into the top 10 of the leaderboard, finishing three shots off the lead before the final groups had completed their rounds. This performance highlights a significant comeback attempt and places Kitayama among an elite group of nine players overall to shoot a 63 in the final round of any of golf's four major championships.
Latest NewsKurt Kitayama's Historic 63 in PGA Championship Final Round Ranks Among Best in Major History
Kurt Kitayama delivered a historic performance during the final round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, carding a stellar 63 (seven-under-par). Starting the day four-over-par and outside the title contention, Kitayama surged up the leaderboard with seven birdies and zero bogeys, finishing just strokes off the lead. His round tied the record for the lowest final round score in major championship history, matching eight other golfers including Tommy Fleetwood. Although he did not win the Wanamaker Trophy, his display is recognized as one of the greatest final-round showings in major tournament lore. Kitayama demonstrated exceptional consistency, hitting 17 of 18 greens in regulation and showcasing precise putting, including five makes from over 12 feet. The article contextualizes this achievement by noting that while the overall major round record remains 62, held by Branden Grace and others, Kitayama's 63 places him in an elite group of performers who have excelled under final-round pressure in golf's most prestigious events.
yahoo sportsKurt Kitayama Shoots Historic Final-Round 63 at 2026 PGA Championship
Kurt Kitayama achieved a historic milestone during the final round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 33-year-old American golfer carded a bogey-free, 7-under-par 63, tying the record for the lowest final-round score in major championship history. This impressive performance allowed Kitayama to surge 57 places up the leaderboard, finishing the day tied for seventh place at 3-under for the tournament. Despite this remarkable comeback, he remains three shots behind the current leader, Alex Smalley, with over 20 players still within striking distance of the lead. Kitayama attributed his success to favorable weather conditions, noting that the absence of strong winds made putting and scoring significantly easier compared to the challenging conditions faced during the first three days of the event. Although his chances of winning appear slim given the crowded field near the top, Kitayama's Sunday round stands out as a significant athletic achievement in the context of major golf tournaments.
New York PostKurt Kitayama Shoots Historic Sunday 63 at PGA Championship
Kurt Kitayama delivered a historic performance on the final day of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, shooting a 7-under-par 63. This score ties the record for the lowest final round in major championship history. Kitayama became only the second player to achieve a 63 in the final round of the PGA Championship, joining Brad Faxon, who accomplished the feat in 1995. Although he fell one stroke short of tying the overall major record of 62, recently set by Shane Lowry and Xander Schauffele in 2024, Kitayama's bogey-free round was marked by exceptional putting, which he attributed to the "putter God." He started strong with five birdies on the front nine and finished with a birdie on the 18th hole. The 33-year-old Californian moved up the leaderboard significantly during the morning session. This performance places him among an elite group of golfers, including Johnny Miller and Henrik Stenson, who have shot 63s in the final rounds of major tournaments, highlighting a remarkable display of skill under pressure.
yahoo sportsKurt Kitayama Ties Major Championship Record with Final Round 63 at PGA Championship
Kurt Kitayama achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 PGA Championship by shooting a final-round 63, tying the record for the lowest score in the final round of a major tournament. The 33-year-old golfer became the ninth player in history to accomplish this feat, matching legends like Johnny Miller and Henrik Stenson. Playing at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Kitayama was the only competitor to break 65 during the week. His exceptional performance propelled him up 50 spots on the leaderboard, resulting in a tied finish at 3-under 277 alongside notable players such as Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Reed. Although he finished three shots behind leader Alex Smalley, the strong showing guaranteed Kitayama a significant increase in prize money. This performance marks his best finish in a major since placing T4 at the 2023 PGA Championship. The article also contextualizes the achievement by noting that the overall major round record remains 62, held by Branden Grace and matched twice by Xander Schauffele.
Deadspin > Sports News Without Fear, Favor or CompromiseKitayama Matches Major History Record with Final Round 63 at PGA Championship
American golfer Kurt Kitayama delivered a historic performance at the PGA Championship held at Aronimink, matching the lowest final round score in major golf history. On Sunday, Kitayama shot a bogey-free, seven-under-par 63, overcoming the course's notoriously difficult and undulating greens. His round included five birdies on the front nine and a crucial 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole, bringing his total tournament score to three-under 277. Kitayama attributed his success to exceptional putting, stating that his putter clicked and carried him through the challenging conditions. This performance marked a significant rebound from his third-round 75, which he described as a hard fight with bad breaks. Despite the impressive final round, his overall finish did not secure a victory, but it highlighted his resilience and skill. Kitayama, who previously won the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational and the 2025 3M Open, expressed satisfaction with his ability to bounce back and capitalize on calmer winds during the final day. The article underscores the difficulty of the Aronimink course and the critical role of putting in major championships.
yahoo sportsKurt Kitayama Ties Major Record with Final-Round 63 at 2026 PGA Championship
At the 2026 PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Kurt Kitayama delivered a historic performance on Sunday, shooting a bogey-free final-round 63. This score ties the major championship record for the lowest round played on the final day of a major tournament. Starting the day outside the top 60 and teeing off six hours before the final pairing, Kitayama capitalized on calmer wind conditions compared to the previous three days. His seven birdies, including one on the 18th hole, propelled him up 57 spots on the leaderboard to a tie for seventh place at three under par. Despite this impressive surge, Kitayama remains six shots behind the 54-hole leader, Alex Smalley. With over 20 players within four shots of the lead and the potential for changing weather conditions, Kitayama acknowledged that his position might not hold. He noted that the lack of wind made reading putts significantly easier. This performance marks Kitayama's second top-10 finish in a signature event recently, adding to his only previous major top-10. The round stands as the 21st instance of a 63 or better in PGA Championship history.
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