Chris Kirk has secured the first win of the 2024 PGA Tour season with victory at The Sentry in Maui, Hawaii.
The 38-year-old American birdied the 15th and 17th holes to finish the final round eight under par on Sunday.
Kirk led going into the final round and hit six birdies in his first 11 holes before fending off a late surge from compatriot Sahith Theegala on the back nine.
The win is the sixth of his career and first since the 2023 Honda Classic.
Prior to that victory last February he had not won on the PGA Tour for eight years, having taken a leave of absence in 2019 to address mental health and addiction issues.
“It’s 100% the reason why I’m able to do what I do,” Kirk said after the win. “I’ve said that a lot, but my PGA Tour career would have been over a while ago, had I not gotten sober.”
In Hawaii, Kirk made just one bogey all week to claim $3.6m (£2.83m) of the $20m (£15.72m) purse at the Plantation Course in Kapalua.
“I’m very proud. Very, very proud of that shot, that I was able to make the right call – talk about a tough shot to commit to,” said Kirk, who is ranked 52 in the world.
Jordan Spieth hit an eight under 65 on Sunday to finish third at 27 while South Korea’s An Byeong-Hun finished fourth.
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