PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — When Chris Kirk has put away his putter, when he’s hit his last competitive shot and signed his last scorecard, his story cannot be told without mention of the final year of the Honda Classic.
Because it was one year ago that Kirk, now 38, completed the long journey that started with him turning pro in 2007, joining the PGA Tour four years later, taking an indefinite leave from the sport in May 2019 to deal with alcohol abuse and depression, and climbing back to the top by holding the crystal trophy handed to the winner of the tournament now known as the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
“Definitely felt like a full-circle moment,” Kirk said. “To spend the time that I did to get to a place that I had never gotten to before, mentally and physically, just felt amazing.”
Kirk is in a much better place than he was five years ago. Returning to PGA National for this week’s Cognizant Classic to defend hit title will do nothing but buoy those spirits by bringing back one of the fondest moments of his long career.
Kirk called his first win since getting his life back on track the biggest of his six on tour. He added to that trophy case this year with number six, capturing the Tour’s 2024 season opener, The Sentry, a signature event that earned him a $3.6 million winner’s check.
Although Kirk struggled to find consistency following the victory in Palm Beach Gardens – he entered 19 more events with five top 25s and seven missed cuts – he played well enough to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs and qualify for all the 2024 signature events.
This coming despite Kirk admitting “I didn’t really feel like I was going to play golf again,” the day he was named recipient of the PGA Tour Courage Award.
And more important than hitting fairways and greens in regulation was everything going on outside the ropes.
Kirk took a seven-month break, starting in April 2019. He had played in 17 events, missing 11 cuts. His life, and game, was spiraling out of control.
Seven months later, he was back on Tour. Still struggling to make cuts, Kirk missed five straight after returning. He then found his calling resonated beyond the course.
Once Kirk started talking openly about his issues, he learned he had a voice that could help others.
Chris Kirk walks off the 18th hole during the second round of the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
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