Kurt Kitayama's clutch final holes earn him first PGA Tour victory at Arnold Palmer Invitational

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After a clutch final two holes, Kurt Kitayama is now a winner on the PGA Tour after taking home the Arnold Palmer Invitational at 9-under.

Kitayama had a three-shot lead into the final round on Sunday, but as we’ve seen too many times in the past, it’s never an easy road to victory in golf.

That was almost the case on Hole 9 as Kitayama saw his drive at the tee box go into the water, leading to a triple-bogey that wiped out his lead.

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Kurt Kitayama of the United States waves after making birdie on the seventh green during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 05, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

However, the Chico, California, native dug deep and continued to keep pace until the 17th hole when he took advantage of a birdie opportunity. 

From about 14 feet out at the par-3 hole, Kitayama sunk the putt, giving him his first birdie since Hole 7, which was also a par 3.

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That put Kitayama back at 9-under, and more importantly, one-up with one hole left to play.

The world No. 2 and No. 3 golfers, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, respectively, were on Kitayama’s tail going into that 18th hole. McIlroy was a single stroke back, while Scheffler trailed by two.

But Kitayama remained cool in the moment, even after his drive went into some thick rough off to the left of the fairway. On his approach shot, he kept it safe, landing his ball about 47 feet from the hole.

Kurt Kitayama of the United