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Chris Kirk's victory at the Honda Classic earlier this year was extremely special. Not just because he won his first PGA Tour title in eight years, but also because of what he has gone through. He took an indefinite break from golf in May 2019, citing his struggles with alcoholism and depression at the time.
However, Kirk tackled issues like a fighter and soon came sober later that year. Kirk said that he owes everything he has in his life to sobriety.
“I wouldn’t be doing this for a living anymore. I probably wouldn’t have the family that I have currently anymore. I came really close to losing everything that I cared about," Kirk said after winning the Honda Classic.
Kirk acknowledged the people who supported him in overcoming his struggles.
"It’s something that’s constantly on my mind, so it’s pretty easy for me to see that winning the Honda Classic is kind of a bonus when literally every good thing I have in my life I owe to that.”
The 37-year-old has been in really good form this year, with a third at the Sony Open in January and a T-3 at American Express a week later. At the Honda Classic, Kirk started with 1-under 69, followed by a 62 and a 66. On the final day, he shot a score of 69.
During the Sony Open in Hawaii, Chris Kirk was asked how overcoming alcoholism helped him. Kirk responded that he didn't know if it helped in the game but it definitely helped in his life as he didn't use to judge himself for who he was as a professional golfer anymore.
Chris Kirk beats Eric Cole at the Honda Classic playoff
Chris Kirk won the Honda Classic by beating Eric Cole in the playoffs after they both finished in a tie after 72 holes at 14-under 266. This was Kirk's first PGA Tour victory in eight years as his last win came at the Colonial National Invitational in 2015.
Kirk had a lead before coming into the final round but Cole shot at 67 and Kirk shot 69 on Sunday. Kirk's last hole went for a bogey as his second shot led the ball into the water while Cole holed par on the 18th to tie the score.
Kirk won $1,512,000 for his victory at Palm Beach Gardens and also earns the qualification for the upcoming Masters. Cole received $915,600 for the runner-up finish.
Tyler Duncan entered the event as World No. 380, finishing third after four days of golf. He shot the fourth round at 66 with an aggregate of 12-under in the tournament.
Here's the leaderboard and the amount earned by the players:
Position Player Score Earnings
1 Chris Kirk* - 14 $1,512,000
2 Eric Cole - 14 $915,600
3 Tyler Duncan - 12 $579,600
4 Ryan Gerard - 10 $411,600
T5 Ben Martin - 9 $288,120
T5 Sepp Straka - 9 $288,120
T5 Ben Taylor - 9 $288,120
T5 Justin Suh - 9 $288,120
T5 Shane Lowry - 9 $288,120
T10 Dylan Wu - 8 $220,500
T10 David Lingmerth - 8 $220,500
T12 Zach Johnson - 7 $186,900
T12 Cameron Percy - 7 $186,900
T14 Brandon Wu - 6 $136,500
T14 Jim Herman - 6 $136,500
T14 Stephan Jaeger - 6 $136,500
T14 Lee Hodges - 6 $136,500
T14 Adrian Meronk - 6 $136,500
T14 Ryan Brehm - 6 $136,500
T14 Kramer Hickok - 6 $136,500
