| -14 C Kirk (USA), E Cole (USA); -12 T Duncan; -ten R Gerard (USA); -9 B Taylor (Eng), S Lowry (Ire), S Straka (Aut), B Martin (US), J Suh (US) |
| Full ranking |
Chris Kirk said he had “so much to be grateful for” after winning the Honda Classic to claim his first PGA Tour title in nearly eight years.
The 37-year-old, who took time off in 2019 to deal with alcohol issues and depression, beat fellow American Eric Cole in a play-off in Florida.
Although he bogeyed on the 18th hole on his final round, Kirk birdied on the 18th to win the play-off.
“I almost lost everything I cared about,” he said.
“I’m so grateful for my sobriety. I’m so grateful to my family. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me over the last three or four years, especially.”
Kirk, whose most recent title was released in May 2015, took “indefinite leave” golf in May 2019 before returning six months later.
Once as high as 16th in the world rankings, he had fallen to 188th when he took a break.
Kirk started the day at Palm Beach Gardens with a two-stroke lead, but Cole, 34, who has never won on the Tour, went 67 at three under par to set up a play-off.
Kirk’s good second shot on the first hole of the play-offs helped set up the birdie that secured his fifth Tour title.
American Tyler Duncan finished third with 12 under – two shots behind the leaders – while his compatriot Ryan Gerard was two shots ahead.
England’s Ben Taylor and Ireland’s Shane Lowry were among five players tied for fifth with nine under.
