Chris Kirk hangs on to win PGA Tour's Honda Classic despite NIGHTMARE finish
American Chris Kirk claimed his fifth PGA Tour win at the Honda Classic in a one-hole playoff over Eric Cole at PGA National.
Chris Kirk says "it will sink in eventually" after he picked up his first PGA Tour victory in more than eight years on a riveting final day at the Honda Classic.
Kirk held a one-stroke lead over Eric Cole playing the 72nd hole at PGA National but disaster struck.
The 37-year-old did the hard part by finding the fairway at the par-5 18th but decided to get aggressive by taking the shot on.
Related: Watch Shane Lowry's hilarious introduction
His baby draw was a matter of inches from being perfect but his golf ball clattered into the bank and back into the water.
Kirk needed to get up-and-down to win in regulation but could only manage a bogey. Cole, 34, made his par and the pair both finished the tournament at 14-under.
Both players headed back to play the 18th again and it was Kirk who managed to hold his nerve and prevail.
He decided to lay-up then produced an incredible third shot, his approach finishing a matter of inches from the hole for a tap-in birdie.
Cole applauded Kirk. His second found the bunker and his birdie attempt to extend the playoff agonisingly lipped out.
Watch:
Has it sunk in yet?
Kirk said:
Kirk earned $1,512,000 with his fifth victory.
Elsewhere, defending champion Sepp Straka finished T-5 on 9-under with Shane Lowry, Ben Taylor and Justin Suh.
Next up on the PGA Tour is the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Next page: PGA Tour schedule 2023
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