Former Georgia Bulldog Chris Kirk is a winner on the PGA Tour again for the first time in nearly eight years with a victory at The Honda Classic.
Kirk entered Sunday’s final round at 13-under par with a two-stroke lead over rookie Eric Coal and maintained a one-stroke lead until his third shot at the 18th hole found the water.
Winning is hard.
Leading by one, Chris Kirk’s approach finds the water on 18 @TheHondaClassic. pic.twitter.com/8cZvdpT5LR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 26, 2023
Cole took advantage of the mistake and forced a playoff at the 18th hole. Kirk’s clutch second shot almost found the cup and led to a tap-in birdie for his fifth PGA Tour win.
GOLF SHOT.@Chris_Kirk_ nearly holes out for eagle and will have a tap-in birdie @TheHondaClassic.
Eric Cole will have to get up-and-down from a green side bunker to force another playoff hole. pic.twitter.com/46OSaUhL9M
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 26, 2023
Cole was this close to forcing another playoff hole.
PGATOUR: It’s a cruel game.
Eric Cole’s birdie putt to force another playoff hole just lips out @TheHondaClassic. pic.twitter.com/fycqpAFUfj
— Triple Bogey Golf Club (@TripleBogeyGC) February 26, 2023
Kirk’s win is the 40th PGA Tour win by a former Georgia Bulldog who played under UGA golf coach Chris Haack.
Kirk has secured a spot in the 2023 Masters with the win and moves up to sixth place in FedEx Cup points standings.
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