PALM BEACH GARDENS (Fla.) — Chris Kirk shot a bogey-free 8 under 62 Friday to climb up the Honda Classic leaderboard. He then played steady golf Saturday, before closing with a flourish.
Kirk, who began the day one shot behind Justin Suh as second-round leader, birdied Saturday to finish with a 4-under 66 score and a two-shot advantage over Eric Cole, a rookie on the PGA Tour.
Cole’s outstanding play continued with his second consecutive 66. He finished at 11 under after three rounds on the Champion course at PGA National Resort & Spa. Suh was third at 10 under after shooting an even-par 70.
Kirk was at 4 under through 12 holes, before two bogeys at 13 & 16 caused him to lose his balance and he couldn’t get up from the fairway. He sank an 18-foot birdie putt at the par-3 17th, and then he was granted a favorable ruling after his second shot at the par-5 18th fell under a sandbag in front of the grandstand. He was allowed to put his ball in a good place. He got up and made a putt of 6 1/2 feet.
Kirk said that the ruling made it easier to hit. It was a shot I could have got up and down to hit a flop shot over the bunker but it was easier where I dropped. Although the lie was clear, that grass was kind of sandy and directly into the grain. To give myself the best chance of making contact, I decided to hit a low driving shot. This was one of those situations where I could have hit it directly in front of myself if I tried to hit a higher pitch and landed it on the green.
It was definitely a good break. However, I did a great pitch shot there, and drained it, which was a nice finish.”
Kirk had a eagle on Friday and six birdies Saturday. Suh couldn’t save par from the greenside bunker and he took the lead on Saturday’s fourth hole. Kirk, from Athens, Georgia added birdies on the eighth hole and 11th holes to make it 12 under, a three-shot advantage over his nearest competitors.
The par-4 12th was a turning point for Suh, who hit an 8-iron from just 153 yards to the hole for an eagle. This put him at 11 under.
“I asked for it to be sat. Suh said that my caddie wanted it go and that it was in the middle.
Kirk then followed suit by making an 11-footer to birdie to make it 13 under.
He said, “I suppose that was somewhat making an announcement.” It was amazing to see him hit such an incredible shot, just by hooping it off the fairway. It was amazing to be able “to keep my composure and to stay focused on my game and make that putt.
Cole, 34, tied for 15th at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He then two-putted for birdie to complete another solid round.
Cole stated, “I hit the ball well, which makes it always good.” It’s very important in this area. There are so many difficult shots. It was a great day. I was comfortable and made some great shots when needed.”
After a 5-under 65, Shane Lowry tied for fourth with Ben Taylor at 9 under. This round was the second-lowest of the day. Lowry was at 6 under for the day with three straight birdies on back nine. However, bogeys at 17 and 14 slowed his progress.
Tap-in birdie at 18th par-5 put him in the same position last year when he won the lead. He was unable to make a birdie on the par-5 18th hole due to torrential rainstorms. This would have made it impossible for him to play with Sepp Straka, who is the winner.
Lowry answered the question “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.”
“No, look, this course, you don’t know what’s going to happen. Many holes can be a bit dangerous. It’s not difficult to stay focused and aggressive with your targets. You can just go out and try your best. If that’s enough, you will be here with the trophy.
Lowry, a native of Ireland, almost withdrew his support from Honda after Jimmy, his older brother, unexpectedly died Thursday morning. He was 66.
“It’s been a difficult week for our family. Truthfully, I was ready to return home when I heard the news. Lowry said that a lot of people tried to convince him not to do it. He wore a green-and white ribbon on his cap in memory of his uncle. “I’m here now. “I’m here to play for him, his wife, his children and his cousins. My aunts and uncles are my aunts. And everyone else at home.
“I hope I can make him proud tomorrow.” Everybody keeps telling me how proud they were of me over the years. I hope that tomorrow will be another day of his pride.
