Why did Kurt Kitayama fire his caddie? Reasons explored

Kurt Kitayama triumphed at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, recording his first-ever PGA Tour victory. However, he could have achieved this a month back if it was not for his unfavorable fourth round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he was in second position until Sunday.

During the last round at Pebble Beach Golf Links, a mis-club by Kitayama's then-caddie Bryan Martin on the second hole led him to hit the ball flying past the green, resulting in a double bogey. He lost his rhythm and slipped by 27 places afterward, scoring a fourth-round 76 (T-29).

Kitayama said later that he felt himself fuming inside.

“That one was very disappointing,” Kitayama was quoted after his win at Bay Hill. “I felt like I was comfortable enough in that situation and that things just didn’t go my way early and I was more probably mad than anything."

As a result, Kitayama fired Martin, who was on his bag for more than four years. Kitayama didn't want to throw shade at Martin, who he still considers a friend.

He said:

“I just felt like it was time, a couple of bad things had happened and tough situations I feel like. We had a really good run.”

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Who is Kurt Kitayama's current caddie?

Kurt Kitayama and Tim Tucker during the final round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard

After firing Bryan Martin, Kurt Kitayama hired veteran Tim Tucker. Tucker has had a successful partnership with Bryson DeChambeau, which includes the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Tucker fired DeChambeau in 2021, one of the rare instances where the caddie fired a player.

Kitayama met Tucker through his brother Danny. Danny is a caddie at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, where Tucker has also worked as a caddie and now does a transportation business at the golf resort. Kitayama and Tucker first met at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where they decided to work together that week.

The change was visible at Bay Hill when Kitayama made a triple bogey on the ninth hole on Sunday, resulting in him dropping the lead. Tucker acted as a calming influence on the 30-year-old. Kitayama said later that the veteran caddie backed him up.

"He said that, he goes, ‘I know, you look fine.’ And that helped," said Kitayama.

Tucker said he was happy to see the 'kid' win.

"He’s such an amazing young man. He’s a ballstriking machine. I couldn’t be happier for him," Tucker was quoted saying afterwards.

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What's next for Kurt Kitayama?

Kitayama will now be seen playing at the Players Championship. Now World No. 6 Kitayama will look to continue his excellent form. The 144-player field event will start on Thursday, March 9, at TPC at Sawgrass.

Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler will be looking at the World No. 1 position at the 'fifth major'. The purse size of the Players Championship is $25 million with the winner getting a share of $4.6 million. Last year the prize money was $20 million.