Kurt Kitayama narrowly missed out on posting a 59 during the third round of the 3M Open on Sunday, settling for a tie of the TPC Twin Cities course record with a 60.
Kitayama was 11 under through 16 holes, needing a birdie on each of the final two holes to card a 59 in Blaine, Minn. However, he sent his tee shot on the par-3 17th hole into a green-side bunker that led to a par. Kitayama rebounded with a birdie on the par-5 18th to post a 60, tying the course record set by Adam Svensson during the first round.
Beginning his third round well out of contention, Kitayama charged up the leaderboard with seven birdies to make the turn in 28. He added four more birdies to reach 11 under for his round through 16 holes.
Saturday’s 60 marks a new career-low round on the PGA Tour for Kitayama, who said it was also a “personal best.” He admitted that shooting a 59 was on his mind after getting to 11 under with two holes to play.
“Definitely,” he said. “16 was moved up, knew I’d get a birdie there with a good drive, and then 18’s a par 5 so it was definitely on my mind.
“I was just kind of going out there, and I don’t think you really have a number going out into any round, just kind of take what you can get. You know, as it comes down the stretch, then the number kind of pops in your mind.”
Kitayama held the lead when he walked off the course, but ideal scoring conditions saw most of the field carving up TPC Twin Cities. Amateur Michael La Sasso and veteran Tayler Montgomery also moved into contention with 8 under 63s before 36-hole leader Thorbjorn Olesen had even teed off on Saturday.
La Sasso and Montgomery both made the cut on the number.
“We had a blast,” La Sasso said. “It’s nice being first out, nice and calm, greens are fresh. Definitely a little faster today. Yeah, I had a good time.
“It was a lot of smiling so it was good.”
–Field Level Media
