"Not a Real Job": Kurt Kitayama's Mother Rumiko Shared Her Feelings on Golf and Two Sons

"Not a Real Job": Kurt Kitayama's Mother Rumiko Shared Her Feelings on Golf and Two Sons originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Kurt Kitayama has displayed splendid golf over the past three rounds, especially on Saturday, when he made 12 birdies. He finished with an 11‑under‑60, tying the course record. On Sunday, he again got off to a strong start with six birdies on the front nine.

Much of his recent success, Kitayama says, he owes to his brother Daniel, his parents and his grandmother, who believed in him from the very beginning. Rumiko, his mother, admits she once doubted that golf could be a genuine livelihood.

“I used to think that golf professional was not a real job,” she confessed per Power Fades, remembering how she urged Daniel, Kitayama's brother, to finish college rather than chase trophies.

It wasn’t until Cliff’s, Kitayama's father, 90‑year‑old mother assured her, “It’s OK. It’s not a bad idea,” that Rumiko relented and let her sons pursue the fairways.

Daniel realised early on that golf is not for him. “At Hawaii-Hilo, I decided (competitive) golf was not for me,” he said, referring to the experience he had at the University of Hawaii-Hilo.

Later on in Bandon Dunes, he got the offer for the caddie exchange program, which changed his life. By the time he returned home, Kitayama was already getting adept at golf.

“There’s definitely no quit in him; he grinds. He’s always believed in himself. He’s always chased it,” Daniel said about his brother. He helped Kitayama connect with Tim Tucker, who was beside Bryson DeChambeau when he won the 2020 U.S. Open.

Best approach shots of the day for Kitayama

128 yards to 1 foot
120 yards to 1 foot
204 yards to 4 feet
94 yards to 5 feet pic.twitter.com/Ath8iiXdR2

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 27, 2025

Though shaky at first, the duo finally struck gold when Kitayama won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2023 with a score of 9-under. This was a very proud moment for Rumiko and Cliff.

“When he won, I was speechless,” she said. “We are so proud. It is unbelievable." Since then, she and her husband have come out to support their son whenever possible. Kurt has now earned more than $13 million in his PGA Tour career.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2025, where it first appeared.