Chris Kirk hasn't won on the PGA Tour for nearly eight years. He has the chance to end this drought as he leads by one shot at the halfway stage of the Sony Open in Honolulu.
In that period, much has happened to Kirk both on and off the golf course. In May 2019, Kirk announced he would take "indefinite leave" from the sport to deal with alcoholism and depression a day before his 34th birthday.
He once reached 16th in the world rankings but he plummeted as low as 522nd in 2020. Things began to look up at the Sony Open in 2021 when he finished tied for second in the final start of his Major Medical Extension to remain in that category for the rest of the season.
The 37-year-old found some form in 2022, making four top-10s including tied fifth finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the PGA Championship at Southern Hills. The spark that won him four titles on Tour appeared to be showing glimmers of existence.
Those glimmers have become slightly brighter this week at Waialae Country Club. In an event he's played 12 times in his career, he's finished second twice and made two other top-10s as well.
Chris Kirk overcame alcohol abuse and depression to battle his way back to the TOUR.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 14, 2023
He takes the solo lead into the weekend @SonyOpenHawaii searching for his first win in nearly 8 years. pic.twitter.com/kGiTlyElTg
His rounds of 64 and 65 put him top of the leaderboard and one shot ahead of Taylor Montgomery and J.J. Spaun. After the second round on Friday, Kirk spoke about what he'd been through three years ago to get to this stage.
"I don't know if it helps or not, but it definitely helps when I get done playing. I'm able to not judge myself for who I am as a professional golfer. I'm able to have my life as a person and my life as a professional golfer," Kirk said.
"Two completely independent things. I'm able to wake up every day and know that I'm doing the right things, that I'm working hard, that I love my family and I'm doing the best for them that's all that really matters."
He'll tee it up with Montgomery in the third round on Saturday in the final group as he looks for his 5th Tour title. The pair won't have to worry about Jordan Spieth breathing down their necks at the weekend.
The three-time major champion struggled to a 5-over 75 on Thursday which saw him miss the cut. Kirk has unfortunately known that feeling twice so far this season.
"I felt good going into today, and after playing really well yesterday, you want to come out and hit some solid shots and kind of ease into it. I did not ease into it at all. Really nice putt I made on 1, and then couple pitching wedges on 2 and 3 that I hit pretty close," Kirk said.
"I was felt like off the races, but then maybe, yeah, it can be hard to sustain that sometimes for 18 holes, that type of momentum. We're all trying to birdie all 18 holes but we never do it."
