Kurt Kitayama breaks down his second round at the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, the first playoff event of the FedExCup. The recent 3M Open champion shares the key to his strong play, his 7-iron into the 16th, improved putting stats, and how he’s managing the mental side while chasing a spot in the top 50.
📌 Highlights:
7-iron into the par-3 16th.
Feeling more in control of the ball.
Positive strokes gained putting since John Deere.
Mindset to handle FedExCup pressure without overthinking.
💬 Can Kitayama lock in his spot among the top 50 this week?
#KurtKitayama #FedExStJude #FedExCupPlayoffs #PGA
So, thanks Kirk. Hey. Hey guys. What’ you hit in the 17? In the 17 or sorry, 16. 16. I hit a seven iron. Um, describe the day and what you felt like you did well. Um, you know, I just felt like I was a little more in control of the ball. Um, puted it really nicely. Um, and when I was out of position, kind of just took my medicine, tried to get myself around the greens. Um, felt like the short game was was pretty solid. What’s kind of come on over the last like kind of few weeks of of the season? Obviously the win at 3M and um not playing well again this week. Has anything kind of changed? Uh it’s like combination thing. You know, I’m hitting a lot better. Um I feel like my putting has has really improved, you know, this last few months and um like these last, you know, since 3M. Uh well, John Deere too. Um just seeing just being more positive uh strokes gain. I think that’s been big. a few weeks ago, you know, you’re like 131st in the FedEx Cup. What was your mindset then? Were you stressed by your position? Did you feel like good golf was coming? Where were you at mentally? Um, no. I tried not to stress about, you know, I was I felt like I was playing good. Um, you just kind of try and take it week by week and and trust that what you’re doing is is working and and seeing the progress. And uh so yeah, I was just trying, you know, try not to put too much pressure on yourself cuz, you know, you say I didn’t make playoffs. I still have the fall to, you know, move myself up. Um, and so, you know, it’s kind of the big thing is just not putting that pressure on on yourself too much. And you were still exempt from FA Hill, right? Yeah, exactly. That that helps, too. You know, it’s like, you know, I even if I do finish outside the 100 this year, I had another year. Um, so that definitely helped with the the pressure. Are you focusing on position wise, like, you know, where you are in the FedEx Cup this this week knowing that, you know, getting that in that top 50 is a big number. Uh, yeah. I I feel like everyone is for the most part. Um but you know, you can’t control what everyone else is doing. You kind of just if you play well, it’s going to take care of itself. Um kind of that’s kind of my mindset. But yeah, I do. You know, I’m peeking over quite a bit at the scoreboard. Thanks. Cool. Thank you.
