Veteran Chris Kirk claims $3.6m (!) with victory at The Sentry

Veteran Chris Kirk produced a stunning final round of 8-under 65 to claim the opening PGA Tour event of 2024 in Hawaii and claim a top prize of $3.6m. 

Kirk began the day at The Sentry with a one shot lead over the chasing pack and by day's end emerged with a one-stroke victory over Sahith Theegala on 29-under. 

Theegala came from nowhere to post 10-under and reach 28-under, but Kirk closed the door with a birdie on the 17th at the Plantation Course to allow for a stress-free walk up the 72nd hole. 

Jordan Spieth finished in solo third on 27-under. Reigning Open champion Brian Harman finished T-5 whereas World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler posted another top-10 finish. 

England's Tyrrell Hatton was contending earlier in the week but his challenge faded and he eventually finished T-13 with fellow European Ryder Cup star Matthew Fitzpatrick. 

The Sentry was the first of eight signature events on this year's PGA Tour schedule. 

This was Kirk's sixth win on the PGA Tour. He claimed The Honda Classic in 2023 to gain entry into this event. 

That win was his first in eight years and his first since taking a break from the game in 2019 owing to alcoholism and depression. 

He started the final round with two safe pars before picking up strokes at 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 to turn in 31. 

After ticking off another birdie at the par-3 11th he missed further opportunities to stretch his lead as Spieth came into the picture. 

But the two-time Masters champion dropped a shot on the 16th and his race was run.

Theegala also missed a golden opportunity to make a birdie at the 18th. 

Kirk closed the door with his approach on the 17th, hitting his mid-iron from 209 yards to inside three feet to set up the easiest of birdies. 

"I'll remember that one for a while," he said in the immediate aftermath of victory. 

 

 

 

 

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Final leaderboard:

C. Kirk -29

S. Theegala -28

J. Spieth -27

B. An -26

S. Im, B. Harman, J.T. Poston, C. Morikawa, S. Scheffler -25

J. Day, X. Schauffele -24

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