Kite Wins Boeing Classic

Tom Kite became the first two-time winner of the Boeing Classic, a Champions Tour event played at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge east of Seattle. The 58-year-old Kite, whose last win on the senior circuit came in 2006 at this very same tournament, closed with a 6-under 66 to finish at 14-under 202. He earned $255,000.

Since his previous win here, Kite went 56 tournaments without a victory. But he rallied on the back nine Sunday to surge past Simpson, who closed with a 1-under 71. Simpson ended up alone in second at 204, with John Cook (67) another stroke back in third.

"After two years, you kind of start to wonder, 'Am I going to win one?' Obviously, this feels real good," the 58-year-old said. "Two years is a long time to go without a win."

The diminutive but powerful Texan was the only player in the field to shoot three rounds in the 60s (69-67-66). His final round was spared when he sank a clutch 9-foot bogey putt on the par-4 11th hole. "The bogey putt on No. 11 probably won the golf tournament," he admitted.

Simpson had the tournament in hand at the turn, but a surging Kite and some errors down the stretch were too much to overcome. "This is disappointing . . . my back nine was a little off."

Kite, obviously, enjoys the Jack Nicklaus-designed TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge course and the Pacific Northwest. "I get excited about the tournament, the whole atmosphere, the people I've got to know up here, and not just those running the tournament," he said. "I feel real comfortable here."

Tournament director Chuck Nelson concurred: "There's been no bigger fan of this event than Tom Kite."

After donning the brown-leather flight jacket emblematic of the Boeing Classic champion, Kite said, "This feels real good."