The sun was already escaping over the horizon in Palm Beach Gardens, in the southern part of Florida, when Chris Kirk (37) made the last putt of the Honda Classic on Sunday. The ultimate. He barely had a span, if he got there, but he was hiding a much deeper story. It was confirmation that second chances must be pursued because they exist. In sport and in life.
The Honda Classic, a tournament that, by the way, after 42 years of marriage with the Japanese brand will change its last name next year, marked the fifth PGA Tour title in Chris Kirk’s career. A very remarkable figure with a small aside: it was his first victory since he won at Colonial in 2015 and climbed to number 16 in the world ranking. Since then his career had only taken steps backwards due to his problems with alcohol, which also caused him anxiety and depression. “I’m glad I’m sober,” he was saying on the 18th green at PGA National, still excited by his win. If it weren’t for sobriety, I wouldn’t be a golfer anymore and I probably wouldn’t have the family I have, I’ve been so close to losing everything I care about.”
Kirk, who after facing his problem in public would reveal that he had a history of alcoholism in both his paternal and maternal family, success ended up derailing him.
When he won at Colonial he reached the pinnacle of his sporting career, with four titles in just over four years and his place on the 2015 US Presidents Cup team, which would win the Stars and Stripes after a great putt from Kirk himself. But all these joys contrasted with his personal happiness, which was fading little by little.
Kirk had been a young man of worldly illusions. His dream had always been to start a family in his native Georgia, where he of course defended the colors of the Bulldogs during his college years. And, behind the scenes, the dream that accompanied his golfing successes was a reality. He met his wife, Tahnee, in 2008, and the couple had had three children: Foster, Sawyer and Wilder. The Kirk family lived in Athens, Georgia, where they had built a mansion. But suddenly, the golfer found himself traveling only 30 weeks a year, as his wife stayed home with the offspring. “My life scenario changed from being ideal to one in which he faced many hours of loneliness. That accelerated my alcoholism and affected my game and my physical condition”, said the protagonist. “I never drank during a tournament, but I had teeed off the 1 on more than one occasion with a hangover and was getting by as best I could,” he added.
The situation gradually degenerated and tensions at home increased until April 29, 2019, the day Chris Kirk’s life changed. That morning he woke up alone in a New Orleans hotel with no recollection of the night before. He was wearing the same clothes. “I can’t go on like this,” he told himself.
Kirk had tried to quit on his own a couple of times, but both times he relapsed. This time, the attention call was different, and he decided to put himself in the hands of professionals. He admitted his problems in public and temporarily withdrew from the circuit to be treated. He worked with a psychiatrist and a sports psychologist, and started going to AA meetings with a friend which were definitely eye-openers for him. He hasn’t touched alcohol since then.
He returned almost a year later to the fields without much luck. “I didn’t care about the result, my life had changed,” she declared happily. In this new life, she has bought a motorhome and never travels alone anymore. When he can’t go to his family, it’s his coach who accompanies him. And his golf has been flourishing again. He was third in Hawaii and in La Quinta, and on Sunday he culminated his return by winning in Florida and getting a ticket for the Masters. He has seized the second chance of him.
