Hello, Golf fans! If you love following the Golf and admire world-class, Tom Kite is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Tom Kite is one of golf’s most innovative and consistent pros, famous for his 1992 U.S. Open win and trailblazing habits like adding a third wedge to his bag early on. Even in 2026, at age 76, he’s still respected as a course designer and Hall of Famer with a career full of grit and smart play.
Tom Kite’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Thomas Oliver Kite Jr. |
| Nickname | “The Great Short-Iron Player” / “Tom” |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 1949 |
| Age | 76 years old |
| College | University of Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs |
| Turned Professional | 1972 |
| Net Worth | $23.8 million |
| Earnings | Varies (Champions Tour + business ventures) |
| Spouse | Christy Kite (married 1975, passed away January 24, 2015) |
| Children | 3 – Stephanie Kite Jones, Paul Christopher Kite, David Thomas Kite |
| Relationship Status | Widower |
| Instagram Profile | @tomwkite |
Early Career
Tom Kite picked up a club at age six on his family’s Texas farm and won his first tournament at 11. He landed a golf scholarship at the University of Texas, where legend Harvey Penick coached him. There, he snagged nine college wins, shared the 1972 NCAA individual title with buddy Ben Crenshaw, and helped the Longhorns to back-to-back NCAA team crowns in 1971-72. That set him up perfectly to go pro in 1972. (68 words)
Professional Career
Kite hit the PGA Tour as a rookie in 1973 and earned Rookie of the Year honors right away, pulling in solid money from the start. He built a rep as a steady earner, topping the money list in 1981 and 1989 while becoming the first guy to hit $6M, $7M, $8M, and $9M in career earnings. His big breakthrough came with 19 PGA wins, including The Players Championship in 1989 and his lone major, the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach where he held off Jeff Sluman by two shots in windy conditions.
Kite played seven Ryder Cups from 1979-1993, captaining in 1997, and posted a strong 15-9-4 record. Known as a short-iron wizard—Johnny Miller called him the best ever—he innovated with fitness routines, sports shrinks, and even laser eye surgery for partial blindness. On the Champions Tour from 2000, he grabbed 10 wins, including the 2000 Tradition senior major in a playoff over Larry Nelson and Tom Watson. He retired from senior play around 2020 but keeps busy designing courses like Liberty National. His accuracy and mental edge made him a top-10 World Ranking fixture for 175 weeks straight from 1989-94. (148 words)
Wife
Tom was married to Christy Kite from 1975 until her passing in 2015 after a long fight with illness. She traveled the Tour with him early on, supporting his career while raising their family. No public info on a current girlfriend or new spouse—he seems to keep personal life private these days.
They had three kids: daughter Stephanie Kite Jones (lives in Birmingham, AL with husband Kight), and sons Paul Christopher Kite (New York, NY) and David Thomas Kite (Charleston, SC with wife Hunter and daughter Adaya). The twins David and Paul were born around 1984, and family photos from the late ’80s show them all playing golf together at home in Austin. Christy was his rock, and he often credits her for his success.
Tom Kite’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Tom Kite’s net worth sits around $23 million, built from massive career earnings and smart moves off the course. He pocketed about $11 million in PGA Tour prize money alone, plus over $16 million on the Champions Tour, totaling pro winnings north of $27 million. Course design work through Tom Kite Design adds steady income from spots like Comanche Trace and Gaillardia.
Prize Money
| Tournament/Achievement | Prize Money | Year |
| U.S. Open Championship | $275,000 | 1992 |
| The Players Championship | Major Prize | 1989 |
| Nabisco Championship | $625,000 | 1989 |
| BellSouth Classic | Significant Prize | 1992 |
| Federal Express St. Jude Classic | Significant Prize | 1990 |
| Infiniti Tournament of Champions | Significant Prize | 1991 |
| MONY Tournament of Champions | Significant Prize | 1985 |
| Western Open | Significant Prize | 1986 |
| Kemper Open | Significant Prize | 1987 |
| Nestle Invitational | Significant Prize | 1989 |
| PGA Tour Leading Money Winner (1981) | $341,000 | 1981 |
| PGA Tour Leading Money Winner (1989) | $1,395,278 | 1989 |
| Bob Hope Chrysler Classic | Significant Prize | 1993 |
| Nissan Los Angeles Open | Significant Prize | 1993 |
| PGA Tour Career Total | $11,041,042 | All years |
| Champions Tour Career Total | $16,303,747 | 1999-2020 |
Endorsements
Tom Kite’s endorsement portfolio throughout his career has been carefully curated to align with his image as a precision golfer and innovator. His major endorsements have included:
- Ben Hogan Company – His most significant and longest-standing sponsorship, providing clubs and equipment throughout his prime years on the PGA Tour
- Nissan Motors – Featured in tournament sponsorships and promotional materials during the 1990s
- MasterCard – Official credit card sponsor for various tournaments he competed in
- Boeing – Corporate sponsorship for tournaments and events
- BellSouth – Telecommunications company sponsorship of tournaments Kite competed in
- Georgia-Pacific – Sponsorship of PGA Tour events during the 1980s
- American Motors – Sponsored the American Motors Inverrary Classic where Kite achieved notable victories
- The Simpsons – Made a memorable cameo appearance in the 1996 episode “Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield,” providing Homer Simpson with golf tips
Career Records
| Opponent/Achievement | Context | Result/Note |
| Jack Nicklaus | 1981 American Motors Inverrary | Won by 1 stroke |
| Jack Nicklaus | 1982 Bay Hill Classic | Won playoff with birdie |
| Jack Nicklaus | 1984 Doral-Eastern Open | Won by 2 strokes |
| Tony Jacklin | 1979 Ryder Cup Singles | Victory 3&2 |
| Sandy Lyle | 1981 Ryder Cup Singles | Victory |
| Howard Clark | 1989 Ryder Cup Singles | Victory 8&7 (record defeat) |
| Greg Norman | 1986 Masters Competition | Lost to Nicklaus’ comeback |
| Nick Price | 1986 Masters Competition | Close competition |
| Chip Beck | 1989 The Players Championship | Won by 1 stroke |
| Jeff Sluman | 1992 U.S. Open | Won by 2 strokes at Pebble Beach |
| Payne Stewart | 1989 Nabisco Championship | Won playoff with par |
| Davis Love III | 1989 Nestle Invitational | Won playoff |
| John Cook | 1990 St. Jude Classic | Won playoff |
FAQs
1. Who is Tom Kite?
Tom Kite is an American professional golfer and golf course architect born on December 9, 1949, in McKinney, Texas. He won the 1992 U.S. Open and spent 175 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking from 1989 to 1994. Known for innovations like carrying a third wedge and emphasizing fitness, he turned pro in 1972 after a stellar amateur career at the University of Texas.
2. What major championships did Tom Kite win?
Tom Kite won one major: the 1992 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, defeating Jeff Sluman by two strokes with a final score of 3-under par. He had strong showings in others, including three runner-up finishes at the Masters Tournament in 1983, 1986, and 1997. His major record includes 27 top-10 finishes across 109 starts.
3. How many PGA Tour wins does Tom Kite have?
Tom Kite secured 19 PGA Tour victories, highlighted by the 1989 Players Championship and the 1992 U.S. Open. He won his first in 1976 at the IVB-Bicentennial Golf Classic and his last in 1993 at the Nissan Los Angeles Open. Kite was the first to reach $6, $7, $8, and $9 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
4. What is Tom Kite’s Ryder Cup record?
Tom Kite played on seven U.S. Ryder Cup teams from 1979 to 1993, contributing to four wins, one tie, and two losses. He captained the 1997 team in Spain. His participation underscores his status as a key figure in U.S. team golf during the 1980s and early 1990s.
5. When was Tom Kite inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame?
Tom Kite was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004. This honor recognizes his 19 PGA Tour wins, one major, consistent excellence, and contributions like pioneering fitness and equipment use in professional golf. He also won the Bob Jones Award in 1979 for sportsmanship.
6. What are Tom Kite’s Champions Tour achievements?
On the Champions Tour, Tom Kite won 10 tournaments, including the 2000 Countrywide Tradition senior major in a playoff over Larry Nelson and Tom Watson. He amassed over $14 million in earnings with 125 top-10 finishes before retiring around 2020. In 2012, he shot a record front-nine 28 at the U.S. Senior Open.
7. What innovations is Tom Kite known for in golf?
Tom Kite was the first PGA Tour player to carry a third wedge in his bag, revolutionizing short-game options. He pioneered sports psychology use, physical fitness routines, and underwent laser eye surgery for partial blindness. Johnny Miller called him the greatest short-iron player ever in 1993.
8. Where did Tom Kite go to college and what did he achieve there?
Tom Kite attended the University of Texas on a golf scholarship, coached by Harvey Penick. He shared the 1972 NCAA individual title with Ben Crenshaw, won two NCAA team championships (1971, 1972), and earned All-American honors three times. He captured nine collegiate tournaments.
9. Did Tom Kite win The Players Championship?
Yes, Tom Kite won the 1989 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass by one stroke over Chip Beck with a score of 9-under par. It was his 12th PGA Tour victory and remains a career highlight. He had nine top-10 finishes in the event overall.
10. What is Tom Kite doing now?
Tom Kite designs golf courses through Tom Kite Design, with notable projects like Liberty National Golf Club. Now 76, he has largely retired from competitive play after a long Champions Tour career but occasionally appears in interviews sharing insights on golf history and modern issues.