Kurt Kitayama is an American professional golfer. He plays on the PGA tour. Born on January 14, 1993, in Chico, California, Kurt Shun Kitayama has carved a niche for himself in the competitive world of golf.
Kurt Kitayama’s net worth, earnings, professional career, stats, personal details, and more are here.
Kurt Kitayama’s Net Worth Details
Kurt Kitayama’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025. His earnings reflect his success in various tournaments and his growing stature in golf.
Prize Money
Kitayama’s prize money from golf events is a significant part of his earnings. In 2024, he won $3.6 million at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
| Year | Tournament | Finish | Prize Money |
| 2024 | Sentry Tournament (Kapalua, Hawaii) | T-29 | $140,500 |
| 2024 | WM Phoenix Open | T-8 | $248,600 |
| 2023 | Arnold Palmer Invitational | 1 | $3,600,000 |
| 2023 | (Additional PGA Tour Events) | Various | $6,840,062 |
| 2022 | (PGA Tour Events) | Various | $2,522,567 |
| 2020 | (PGA Tour Events) | Various | $138,792 |
| 2019 | (PGA Tour Events) | Various | $20,200 |
| 2017 | (PGA Tour Events) | Various | $39,257 |
Career Earnings
With total career earnings of $10,169,748, Kitayama’s financial success indicates his achievements on the golf course.
Endorsements
Kitayama is endorsed by TaylorMade, Chervo, and Boxto, which contribute to his earnings and market presence.
About Kurt Kitayama
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Kurt Shun Kitayama |
| Date of Birth | January 14, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Chico, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’7″ (170 cm) |
| College | University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) |
| Turned Professional | 2015 |
| Highest World Ranking | 19th (As of March 2023) |
Kurt Kitayama’s early life in Chico laid the foundation for his future in golf. Kurt, the son of Clifford and Rumiko Kitayama, grew up with a brother named Daniel, who also pursued golf at Hawaii-Hilo for two years.
Early Career
Kitayama’s golfing journey took a significant turn at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, where he excelled academically and shone on the golf course.
Winning the Jackrabbit Invitational twice and being named to the Academic-All Mountain West team three consecutive years highlighted his dual commitment to sports and studies.
Professional Career
Kitayama turned professional in 2015 after graduating from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a degree in Finance.
Challenges and learning experiences marked his early professional years. He primarily competed on the Web.com Tour in 2016 and 2017 without significant success.
Kitayama’s career turned pivotal when he shifted his focus to the Asian Tour in 2018. This move proved fruitful as he clinched his first professional title at the PGM Darulaman
Championship in Malaysia on the Asian Development Tour.
His performance on the Asian Tour was commendable. Notable finishes included a tie for fourth at the New Zealand Open and a second at the Royal Cup.
2018 was a breakthrough year for Kitayama on the European Tour (now DP World Tour).
After playing in all three Q-School stages, he earned his tour card, winning the first stage at Golf d’Hardelot.
Remarkably, Kitayama won the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in December 2018, which was just his third start on the tour.
He continued his impressive form by winning the Oman Open in March 2019, becoming the fastest player to win twice on the DP World Tour in just 11 starts.
Kitayama’s success on the European Tour paved the way for his PGA Tour career. He qualified for the PGA Tour in September 2021 after finishing 23rd in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals.
His performances on the PGA Tour have been notable, with a third-place finish at the Honda Classic in February 2022 and a second-place finish at the Mexico Open in May 2022.
Kitayama’s first PGA Tour victory came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2023. This win marked a significant milestone in his career and secured his exempt status on the PGA Tour through 2026.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
| PGA Tour Victories | 1 (2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational) |
| European Tour Victories | 2 (2018 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, 2019 Oman Open) |
| Career Low Round | 62 (2024 Sony Open in Hawaii, Round 2) |
| Career High FedExCup Rank | #5 (2023) |
| Career High Official World Golf Rank | #19 (2023) |
| Career Largest Paycheck | $3,600,000 (2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational) |
| 2024 PGA Tour Stats | |
| Average Score | 69.3 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Top 10 Finishes | 1 |
| Top 25 Finishes | 2 |
| FedEx Cup Points | 196 |
| Driving Distance | 301.7 yards (Rank: 51) |
| Birdies Per Round | 4.05 (Rank: 115) |
| Eagles Per Hole | Not specified (Rank: 51) |
| Putts Per Hole | 1.807 (Rank: 145) |
FAQs
1. What is Kurt Kitayama’s background and early life?
He was born on January 14, 1993, in Chico, California, to parents Clifford and Rumiko Kitayama. He excelled as a point guard on the Chico Senior High School basketball team before focusing on golf during his junior year. His brother Daniel also played competitive golf, fostering a family passion for the game.
2. When did he turn professional and on which tours has he competed?
He turned professional in 2015 after graduating from UNLV with a finance degree. He spent 2016 and 2017 mainly on the Web.com Tour, then joined the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour in 2018. After earning European Tour status at Q-School late that year, he secured his PGA Tour card through the Korn Ferry Finals in 2021.
3. Which professional titles has he won to date?
He has four professional victories: the 2018 PGM Darulaman Championship on the Asian Development Tour; the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in December 2018; the Oman Open in March 2019 on the European Tour; and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March 2023 on the PGA Tour.
4. What is his highest Official World Golf Ranking?
He achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 19 on March 5, 2023, following his breakthrough victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. This marked his first entry into the top 20 and underscored his rapid ascent among the world’s leading players.
5. What educational background and philanthropic work is he involved in?
He graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a degree in finance. He founded the Kurt Kitayama Foundation to support junior golfers and aspiring professionals by providing educational resources, mentorship and financial assistance aimed at guiding them through the early stages of their careers and reaching peak performance.
