TomKite
United States
United States
Tom Kite
United States
Profile
Height
5'9"
Weight
170lbs
Age
75
Birthday
Dec 9, 1949
Birthplace
McKinney, TX
Turned Pro
1972
Career Earnings
$32,607,494
College
University of Texas
Residence
Austin, TX
Plays From
Austin, TX
Family
Wife, Christy (deceased); Wife, Sandy; Stephanie Lee, twins David Thomas, Paul Christopher
Exempt Status
Personal
Serves as a spokesman for Chrysler Junior Golf Scholarship program.
After wearing glasses since age 12, had LASIK surgery in late January 1998 to correct acute nearsightedness.
Started playing golf at age 6 by following his father around and won his first tournament at 11.
Three of his last four PGA TOUR victories came on holidays–1992 BellSouth Classic (Mother's Day), 1992 U.S. Open (Father's Day), 1993 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic (Valentines Day).
Biggest thrill in golf was being selected as the Ryder Cup captain in 1997.
Has worked with such teachers as Harvey Penick, Bob Toski, Peter Kostis, Chuck Cook, Jim McLean, Dave Pelz and Dave Phillips.
His daughter, Stephanie, was a former gymnast at the University of Alabama and was a member of its national championship squad in 2002. Son David played golf at South Carolina, served a stint as an assistant men's golf coach at the College of Charleston and is now Director of Instruction at The Links at Stone Ferry in South Carolina.
Lists Pebble Beach as his favorite golf course and Michael Jordan as his favorite athlete.
Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in November 2002, along with Charlie Sifford, Marlene Streit and Isao Aoki.
Dream foursome would include Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Walter Hagen "because they were the best players of all time that I never had a chance to play with."
The first car he owned was a 1957 Chevy.
Enjoys Mexican food.
Says the best shot of his career was when he holed his lob wedge for a birdie on the seventh hole at Pebble Beach during the last round of the 1992 U.S. Open that helped him to a two-stroke win.
Would like to continue his golf course design work in the future, with his son David joining him.