Kite clinches narrow victory

Tom Kite put his recent Sunday struggles behind him.

One week after losing a late, final-round lead, Kite made three birdies over the last seven holes Sunday for a one-stroke victory at the 3M Championship and his first Champions Tour victory in 21 months.

"That was a long victory drought -- way too long," Kite said after closing with a 3-under 69. "I'm very proud of this win, especially after what's happened to me the last couple of weekends, and especially what happened to me last weekend in St. Louis."

That's a Sunday he'd rather forget.

Entering the final round of the U.S. Senior Open with a 2-stroke lead, Kite played the last four holes in 4 over -- including a double-bogey at the 18th. The previous Sunday, club pro Pete Oakley beat Kite by one stroke at the Senior British Open.

At the Tournament Players Club of the Twin Cities, Kite moved ahead at No. 13 and secured the win by rolling a 60-foot eagle putt within 18 inches and tapping in for birdie at No. 18. He finished at 13-under 203, one stroke ahead of Craig Stadler, who missed a 15-foot eagle putt on the final hole.

Kite, who missed birdie chances at 15 and 17, said he blocked out past disappointments.

"I've been trying to emphasize the positive stuff and minimize the bad stuff," Kite said. "Sometimes you have to have selective memory out here. I knew if I took care of my business on 18, I would be OK."

Third-round leader Tom Purtzer (75), Larry Nelson and Vicente Fernandez (68) tied for third at 10 under. Nelson made six birdies between the second and 12th holes and closed with a 6-under 66.

Sammy Rachels (71), Bruce Lietzke (66) and David Eger (67) tied for sixth at 9 under.

Kite was the lone player to post three scores in the 60s. He birdied Nos. 12 and 13 to take the lead. He made a 5-foot putt to save par at 16, but missed short birdie chances at 15 and 17.

Kite ended a 47-tournament winless streak dating to October 2002. He's had six second-place finishes in that span.

Kite picked up $262,500, the largest payoff in his seven career victories on the Champions Tour. He surpassed $1 million in season earnings for the fifth straight year.

The par-5 holes were a key in Kite's victory. He had nine birdies and three pars on par 5s this weekend. He birdied 12 and 18 all three rounds.

Kite is the 17th different winner in 21 Champions Tour events this year.

Stadler, trying to become the 50-and-over circuit's first three-time winner this year, started the final round three strokes back. He eagled the par-5 third to move within one stroke and made eight consecutive pars on the back nine.

For the second year in a row, Purtzer started the final round with the lead, but couldn't close out the victory. He held a two-stroke lead over Kite entering Sunday's round, but a double bogey at the seventh and a bogey at No. 9 sent Purtzer toward his final-round 75.

Last year, Purtzer led by one stroke through 36 holes, but fell to 10th after a final-round 74.

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