The last time Chris Kirk won a PGA Tour event, Mark Richt was still Georgia’s head coach. So what was one more playoff hole after waiting nearly eight years to win once again on the PGA Tour.
Kirk defeated Eric Cole in a playoff to win The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with a winning score of 14-under.
“I’m so grateful for my sobriety. I’m so grateful for my family,” Kirk said after the win.
After bogeying 18 the first time he played it, Kirk returned to hit his third shot within four feet of the hole to set up a tap-in birdie putt. Cole was unable to birdie in the playoff, giving Kirk his first win since May of 2015 when he won the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.
Kirk’s caddie, Michael Cromie, is also a Georgia golf alum. Kirk was a member of Georgia’s 2005 National Championship team.
The win clinches a spot in the 2023 Masters for Kirk, an event he has not played in since 2016. Kirk did tie for fifth at least year’s PGA Championship.
Kirk last tournament win actually came on the Korn Ferry Tour back in June of 2020, which helped restart his golf career.
Kirk is the second former Georgia golfer to win on tour this season, as Russell Henley won the World Wide Technology Championship in October. It’s the second-straight year a former Bulldog won the Honda Classic, as Sepp Straka won the event last year. He finished tied for fifth at 9-under.
Joining Kirk at this year’s Masters will be fellow Georgia alums Bubba Watson, Brian Harman, Kevin Kisner, Straka and Henley. Keith Mitchell is also in position to qualify for the tournament as well.