Kurt Kitayama Powers Through First Two Rounds of the 2026 Masters

Round Two Surge

Kurt Kitayama posted a 3‑under 69 Tuesday, his second consecutive round in the 60s at Augusta National. Despite making only six pars and a delicate chip that found the water at Rae’s Creek, Kitayama’s aggressive iron play yielded birdies on holes 10, 13, 15 and 17.

Opening Lead

In the opening round, Kitayama carded eight birdies to sit at eight under par, a two‑shot cushion over Rory McIlroy and Ryan Gerard and the early leader in DraftKings’ “King of the Course” competition.

From 2024 Struggles to 2026 Revival

The American finished 35th at six‑over in his 2024 Masters debut, but recent victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a runner‑up finish at the Genesis Invitational have boosted his confidence and statistical rankings, especially in Strokes Gained: Off‑the‑Tee and Approach‑to‑Green.

What Lies Ahead

With a reputation for precise iron shots beyond 150 yards, Kitayama is emerging as a sleeper contender. If he maintains his current form, he could challenge established favorites such as Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.