My U.S. Open: Tom Kite (1992)

It's fitting that a man with the last name Kite so deftly navigating Pebble Beach's unforgiving winds in the 1992 U.S. Open Championship.
Tom Kite hit one of the most memorable shots on one of the most memorable holes in golf -- No. 7 at Pebble Beach -- to win his only major championship title. He talks about that shot and the week that was in 1992 during this episode of "My U.S. Open," in partnership with Rolex.

[@Jamthecoolerator]

Kite also has the distintion of being the runner-up to Jack in his last major win ('86 Masters) and to Tiger in his first ('97 Masters).

[@ianjones6910]

Definitely one of the greatest rounds ever played...brutal conditions - a lot of scores north of 80 that day. Kite was the best golfer that day, and a very worthy champion.

[@bretts4544]

12 Top 10s at The Masters and 9 Top 5s...mind boggling record without ever winning. Still an all time great in my book and he was always one of my favorite players. Only one Major, but certainly had the talent to be a 3-6 time Major winner

[@boskey10]

His short iron play was magnificent. His high placing in tournaments made him the first PGA player to hit 6 million,7 million 8 million and 9 million in career earnings only Greg Norman won more prize money at the time.

[@KingpinPadre]

Such a different time. When I began following professional golf (1994) Kite was the all-time leading money winner with around 8 million or so. Within ten years Tiger, and even Vijay, had racked up that total in a single season. This was one of the all-time rounds of golf. Brutal conditions and such small greens. He was a VERY deserving champion.

[@taistyveg]

Nobody deserved to win a major more than Tom Kite.

[@65g4]

That lw was a harder shot that tom watsons chip in but of course watsons was more iconic

[@colby7703]

This is legit my new favorite us open but 1972 was good

[@joshua6207]

I had a couple old timers at the course telling me i swing like Tom Kite. I didn't know if it was a insult so asked them who it was and he was a hell of a player !!

[@marknorris1381]

Absolutely. He's certainly paid his dues many times, should have happened before this. Very worthy champion, his final round in that tournament would have to be one of the greatest final rounds in US Open history, given the conditions and his masterclass of scrambling.

[@zackschefer8754]

What a short game display.

[@TheMightySandow]

Very deserving. I binge watched all the old masters tournaments during covid. Kite was always there, almost always playing excellent, from the late 70s through the 80s and 90s. Twelve top ten finishes, runner up three times. With a bit of luck he could have won five times at least. Absolute world class player. Probably the best short iron and wedge player I have ever seen.

[@jryer1]

Wow, that bunker shot on 17 was one of the best shots I've ever seen. Thank you Mr. Kite for being a great champion!

[@eggy68]

This was one of my favorite Opens. Tom is a class A competitor. You know you're doing something right when Harvey Penick sings your praises.

[@preachingplayingprospectin8242]

Congrats, Tom Kite! I've never seen this story, or at least, haven't after I gained much respect for you and Crenshaw by reading the Little Red Book. Awesome performance.

[@jadesmith6823]

Why can't we see that pull snap hook?

[@sappermade6012]

I watching that entire final round. Tom that was one of the greatest rounds of golf in conditions like that I’ve ever seen in my life!!!!

[@F7269]

Tom had the game to win 3-4 majors. He came close many times against really great players. His US Open win at Pebble was a product of hard work over all those years. He is a great champion.

[@TheLeadSled]

Tom Kite was a phenomenal player, top money winner of his time. I remember 1986 Masters he was tied with Seve & Nicklaus and -8, it's the only time I rooted against Tom because I wanted the Golden Bear to win one more time.

[@johncirillo9544]

I wonder if Tom’s thoughts wandered to Harvey, back in Austin, during this final round.

[@salfordnick5336]

What of the great rounds ever played, conditions were just brutal that day... Everyone thought monty had won being level and in hours before everyone else..... But kite was holing putts all over, his chipping and wedge play were unbelievable too..... Worthy champion, and long over due

[@JDL0427]

Oh my goodness Kite’s Open win. As everyone says, brutal conditions under all that pressure. In a prior Open he had hit one of the worst shots in US Open history while leading on Sunday. The great back story is that Kite was a Harvey Penick protege, who said he watched all 18 holes with his toes curled in a ball. After he won, he had a prior commitment on Monday and told his wife to take the trophy straight from the airport in Austin and place it in Harvey’s lap. Sure enough she finds Harvey in a wheelchair on the range giving a lesson. She places the US Open trophy in his lap and they cried like babies.

[@kobinrang]

Man these are awesome. Good work usga

[@johnnyparker9928]

I love these videos.

[@billmoyer3254]

That Bull's Eye putter was good for 3-5 extra strokes a round.

[@chevy4x466]

Considering purchasing a bullseye on eBay. However, my wife bought me a putter I don’t like much 15 years ago for Christmas. I love my wife wife, so I keep this putter.

[@DanielSong39]

It definitely was in that final round

[@deldridg]

Wonderful memories and great to hear it from the man himself. Thank you USGA.

[@leesmith5288]

He played a lot in New England he was great a tremendous guy incredibly consistent

[@Richard-c6u1i]

No-one 'deserves' to win a major.

[@richdiana3663]

Knicklaus proclaimed Monty the winner when he finished and Kite still had more than half the round to play.

[@heinz-haraldfrentzen1261]

That's what I remember about this. Endlessly hearing Jim McKay remind us of Monty in the clubhouse.....but still trailing Kite.

[@winstonsmith11]

*Nicklaus

[@salfordnick5336]

Actually he didnt, he was asked before the open started what would win and he said level would be a good bet and they laughed at him. Come Sunday pm they weren't laughing at Monty....it was jim McKay that said Monty had most probably won the US open......but will chuffed kite won thou

[@johnnystir9796]

How the heck can you spell Nicklaus wrong? He's only the greatest player ever.

[@karbonphiber]

I didn’t realize bubbles played golf

[@LeeTrevinoFans]

According to Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible over 20 plus years he was the best with a wedge! He compared his ball striking relative to his money list standings and the man did it his way!

[@5595davie]

This was my first us open

[@RK831]

Damn, Tom has not aged well. All those years of playing golf in the sun will do that. However, he has lived a great golfing life most of us would envy.

[@ScratchArkkitehti]

Thats relative when you've looked 55 even at 28.

[@PresidentGas1]

@@ScratchArkkitehti lol .. so damn true.

[@free2serve7777]

I just wanna put him in front of a piano and make him sing me some Tiny Dancer.

[@paulkeilman3510]

Also, having the love of your life pass away ages you too. Tom and Christy were a perfect match together.

[@jadesmith6823]

For a pro that I watched growing up on the other side of the world. To a giggle from this other side of the world when you pull hooked your shot of the left gallery... Australia loves Tom ❤️🥴💦❤️

[@jaimealvarezmd7245]

Dude looks like palpatine

[@MGAF688]

27 top tens at Majors. He almost had worse luck than Norman.

[@sappermade6012]

His short game that day might have been the greatest played in a golf tournament ever.

[@allenbackstrom8649]

Tom Kite and Al Franken- never seen in same plce at same time.

[@StFidjnr]

that was the year Kite did soar over pebble beach

[@moosejaw50]

Some bogeys are better than others.

[@johnweir1074]

I remember watching Tom struggle to get out of a difficult bunker during a Ryder cup match and he was getting a fair bit of heckling and jeering from the European fans when he finally got out he turned to the fans and said Merry Christmas, he handled it well.

[@salfordnick5336]

I remember that, great banter and took it wonderfully.... Got so much respect, couldn't see certain players taking it like that from either side of the pond.... He is just a great gentleman too

[@lillycardwell3823]

I know him(first)

[@theohuioiesin6519]

Fascinating guy

[@skellvarnsen23]

rad

[@mpc77769]

Played there 6 days after he won. Course & weather conditions were the same as Tournament Sunday but the greens were just BURNED OUT. I shot 88 and thought I did good... Lol. True story. Only $250 back then! I have no idea what it is now.

[@PresidentGas1]

It's $150 now. You got ripped off.

[@mpc77769]

@@PresidentGas1 Lol! It figures.

[@PresidentGas1]

@@mpc77769 Obviously joking. It's around $400 or so these days.

[@thapopeofdope4204]

mpc77769 500 bones

[@mpc77769]

@@thapopeofdope4204 that sounds about right. It's a Beautiful place but at 5 bills I ain't makin' that trip again I don't think. Headin' to Bethpage later this summer with my nephews though 👍👍