Chris Kirk has returned to the winner's circle on the PGA Tour with victory in a playoff at the Honda Classic.
The American had been without success Stateside since 2015, when he won the Crowne Plaza Invitiational at Colonial, but the world number 47 held his nerve to edge out Eric Cole.
Having played his opening 17 holes on Sunday in two-under par, avoiding a bogey or worse on the final hole would have got Kirk over the line in regulation play.
However, he sent his second shot into the water and failed to hole a putt just under 17 feet for the win, providing newcomer Cole with a chance of a stunning win.
It's a cruel game.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 26, 2023
Eric Cole's birdie putt to force another playoff hole just lips out @TheHondaClassic. pic.twitter.com/BV3UlczB5I
Nevertheless, the tide turned on the first playoff hole, Kirk nearly pitching in for eagle and being left with a tap-in birdie, heaping the pressure on his lesser experienced opponent.
Cole could take their duel to a second extra hole by converting from 10 feet five inches, only to see his effort lip out and Kirk left to celebrate the win.
Tyler Duncan earned third spot, but bigger headlines will go to Ryan Gerard's fourth place, a position that he achieved after being the final qualifier on Monday.
Ireland's Shane Lowry and England's Ben Taylor were among the players to finish in a share of fifth, but Matt Wallace had to make do with 29th spot after only shooting a 73 on Sunday.
Darren Plant
