Golfer Chris Kirk pulls out signature win at The Sentry event in Hawaii
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Chris Kirk celebrates winning on the 18th hole during the final round of The Sentry golf tournament on Jan 7.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LOS ANGELES – Chris Kirk birdied the 15th and 17th holes to polish off an eight-under 65 and kick off the PGA Tour season with a win at The Sentry on Jan 7 in Maui, Hawaii.
He had won the Honda Classic last February to end an eight-year drought between PGA Tour victories.
He took a leave of absence in 2019 to address mental health and addiction issues. Now he has his second win in 11 months and has jumped 27 spots to 25th in the world this week.
“It’s 100 per cent the reason why I’m able to do what I do,” Kirk said. “I’ve said that a lot, but there would be – my PGA Tour career would have been over a while ago, had I not gotten sober.”
Kirk was the 54-hole leader at the Plantation Course at Kapalua and expanded his advantage on Jan 7 with six birdies in his first 11 holes.
After Sahith Theegala’s charge on the back nine, Kirk dialled in his second shot at the par-four 17th to 2½ feet. The ensuing birdie let him finish at 29-under 263, one stroke ahead of his fellow American.
He had just one bogey the entire week to claim US$3.6 million (S$4.8 million) of the US$20 million purse at the first signature event of 2024.
He nearly hit a seven-iron at No. 17 before switching to a five-iron due to shifting winds.
“I’m very proud, very, very proud of that shot, that I was able to make the right call and that’s – talk about a tough shot to commit to,” Kirk said. “When you’re about to pull seven and you end up hitting five, that doesn’t happen ever.”
Theegala rang up 10 birdies and eight pars for a 63 in the final round but had to settle for second.
“Last year I was hurt during the off-season, didn’t play any golf,” he said. “This year I got a lot of work in, in the gym, a lot of work in with my coach and felt so ready for this event.
“I was so pumped for this event, and obviously with the signature events and all that big deal, I knew it was important to get off to a fast start. Yeah, finishing second here is going to be a really nice boost for the rest of the West Coast swing.”
Jordan Spieth (65) got in the mix before finishing in third at 27 under. He lamented misreading a 14-foot eagle putt on the par-five 18th, though even that would not have been enough to catch Kirk.
“If you told me (I’d shoot) eight under at the beginning of the day, I would have thought Chris probably betters six under,” he said.
“But playing with the lead in the last group, maybe eight was in a play-off, was kind of where my head was at.
“There was just some phenomenal golf played everywhere.”
Jordan Spieth lamented misreading a 14-foot eagle putt on the par-five 18th.
An Byeong-hun of South Korea went five under for his last six holes – one eagle, one bogey, four birdies – to shoot a 66 and finish fourth on 26 under.
Compatriot Im Sung-jae headed a group on 267 after a 10-under 63 that included 11 birdies and gave him 34 birdies for the week – the most in a 72-hole PGA Tour event.
He was joined by Scottie Scheffler (66), Collin Morikawa (65), Brian Harman (64) and J.T. Poston (65) on joint-fifth at 25 under.
Meanwhile, Rickie Fowler promised his fans they “don’t have to worry” about him leaving the PGA Tour behind in favour of LIV Golf in an interview with Golfweek on Jan 7.
He was the subject of speculation after his long-time sponsors, Farmers Insurance and Rocket Mortgage, disappeared from his hat and shirt during The Sentry. REUTERS, AFP
