I recently played a round of golf with Tom Kite at Austin Country Club where he proceeded to shoot 70 from the back tees on a fairly soft golf course. The round included a double bogey on the 209 yard par three second hole and birdies on 3, 13, 14, 15, and 17.
The previous week he posted 68 from the back tees, with seven birdies, a double bogey on hole number 5 and a three putt bogey on hole number 18.
He commented that he is playing better because he is finally healthy enough to swing the club properly and that the knee injury he has been fighting is finally strong enough to support his swing. He is also putting well, which always helps.
At age 66, Kite still has a strong desire to compete and play well. And, he is willing to do the work necessary to make it happen. His physical fitness routine is arduous and currently centered on strengthening his lower body. He puts in the required time on the range and short game area although he doesn’t beat balls for extended periods like he used to do because he is older and has a firm concept of how he is trying to swing the club.
The 2017 Champions Tour season opens January 21 with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, Hawaii. The defending champion is Duffy Waldorf.
Best of luck to Tom in the upcoming season.
