Kite stakes second Boeing Classic title
August 28, 2008
By Ryan Piersol
Texan comes from behind to win by two shots
Above, Tom Kite celebrates after sinking his final putt at the Boeing Classic. At right, Kite talks about the tournament trophy that sits on a table in front of him. Photo by Ryan Piersol
Tom Kite’s self-proclaimed string of tough luck ended in a place he’s beginning to own.
The Texas native became the first two-time winner of the Boeing Classic with a tremendous final-day comeback Sunday at TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge. Kite’s final-round 66 helped him finish with a three-day total that was 14-under, clipping runner-up Scott Simpson by two shots.
It was Kite’s first win since he last won the Boeing Classic in August of 2006.
“The last couple years, I’ve played some up-and-down golf. It’s been very trying,” he said. “And you start wondering, ‘Will I have a chance to win a golf tournament ever again?’ So, this feels really good. Two years is a long time to go without winning.”
In the tournament’s four years in Snoqualmie, Kite has finished second, first, 38th and first. The course has been so good to him, during the post-tournament trophy presentation, a spectator loudly suggested Kite purchase a home on Snoqualmie Ridge.
“It just sets up so well for me. I really don’t know what it is,” Kite said of the course. “I feel comfortable here and it’s just one of those things. Every hole up here sets up well for my eyes. Maybe it’s because I’ve had some success here, I don’t know.
“I get excited about the tournament, the whole atmosphere, the people I’ve gotten to know up here, and not just those running the tournament. I just feel really comfortable up here.”
Simpson sat pretty the majority of the final round, before Kite simply took over on the back nine. Simpson led the field by three shots going into the final 18 and still held a two-shot advantage over Kite with just seven holes to play.
A birdie on No. 12 pulled Kite to within one and another birdie on 14 tied it. Kite finally grabbed the lead with a birdie on the par-5 15th, then went ahead by two shots on No. 16 when Simpson missed a short putt.
Simpson managed to birdie the final hole, but Kite equaled that effort to win the tournament comfortably.
“I played really, really well all week long,” Kite said. “I’ve been hitting the ball nicely, hitting it further than I have been and I’m hitting it straight.”
Looking back on the day, Kite made note of a tough bogey putt from 9 feet out that he sank on No. 11.
Had he not finished that putt, he would’ve been at least three shots behind Simpson with just seven holes to play.
“He knew he was going to pick up one, but it looked it like he was going to pick up two, before that putt,” Kite said. “There were a lot of big shots throughout the day, but that putt was probably what won the tournament.”
Simpson’s bogey on No. 16 was just his second of the tournament. His first came eight holes earlier.
Playing a group ahead, John Cook made strong push in the final round, finishing with a 67 for a three-day 17-under and a third-place finish. Mark Wiebe, who shared the lead with Simpson after the opening day, placed fourth.
It was a good tournament for all three of the past champions. Defending champ Dennis Watson carded a 66 on Sunday and moved up 12 spots to finish in a tie for 5th, while 2005 tournament champ David Eger shot a 2-under Sunday to place 19th.
Kite, of course, surpassed each of those two by winning the whole thing. And, in doing so, firmly put his stamp on the four-year event.
“I feel in love with the tournament the first year I came here,” Kite said. “This is a great event, and I’m just fortunate that I tend to play well at this golf course, because this is a fun one to be involved with.”
Notes:
- Kite has now amassed $644,120 in winnings at the Boeing Classic, far more than any other golfer. In second place is 2005 champ David Edger with $361,959.
- An estimated 48,500 attended the Boeing Classic throughout the week. Final-day attendance was estimated at 16,000, while Friday and Saturday were estimated at 15,000 each.
- The dates for the 2009 Boeing Classic have been set for Aug. 24-30 at TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge.
Reach editor Ryan Piersol at editor@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434.
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