Kitayama Wins Thrilling Arnold Palmer Invitational
Kurt Kitayama overcame a triple bogey on the ninth hole to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill by one shot on Sunday evening down in Orlando, Florida.
This is Kitayama’s first career win in his 50th start.
Kitayama finished the tournament at nine-under, one better than Harris English and Rory McIlroy.
Amazingly, Kitayama won the tournament despite putting two balls out of bounds and three putting twice on the weekend.
Kitayama Rebounds
Leading the tournament by two shots after birdies on the sixth and seventh, Kitayama took a triple-bogey seven on the ninth hole to drop him back to eight under for the tournament.
In the meantime, star players such as Jordan Spieth, Terrell Hatton, and Rory McIlroy all held at least a share of the lead at one point or the other before stumbling themselves.
In the case of Spieth, he missed about three or four straight putts within five feet for pars and a birdie that ended up costing him the tournament.
Kitayama made all pars on the back side before birding the par-3 17th hole to take a one shot lead with one hole to go.
His 18th hole was made a little more interesting when his tee shot went in the rough, but he put his second shot on the green and two-putted for the win.