The PGA Tour announced that Chris Kirk will receive the Courage Award for 2023 on Tuesday.
Kirk, 38 years old, took a medical leave in 2019 for alcohol abuse and depression. Kirk, who had been away for more than six month, returned in 2021, regained his exempt status through a major health extension and won this year’s Honda Classic, his first PGA Tour victory since 2015.
Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA Tour, said: “The PGA Tour Courage Award honors people and circumstances that are exceptional. Chris’ contribution to the game of Golf goes far beyond a single focus on numbers on a scorecard.” Professional athletes have a unique platform to inspire others. Chris’ candor, honesty and courage in publicly speaking about a very personal issue has inspired many people who face everyday struggles.
Monahan awarded Kirk the Courage Award at The RSM Classic on Tuesday, the 10th anniversary of Kirk’s 2013 RSM Classic win.
The PGA Tour Courage Award recognizes a golfer who has shown courage and perseverance to overcome extraordinary adversity such as a personal tragedy, debilitating illness or injury, and made a meaningful and significant contribution to the sport of golf. Kirk is the six recipient of the Courage Award. It was created in 2012. He joins Erik Compton (2013, Jarrodlyle (2015), Gene Sauers (17), Morgan Hoffmann (2010) and D.J. Gregory (2022).
The Courage Award also includes a $25,000 donation by the Tour towards a charity chosen by the recipient. RSM US LLP will match Kirk’s contribution. RSM US LLP is the title sponsor of the RSM Classic this week and a Kirk’s partner since 2018.
Kirk started the season in 17 different events. His final appearance was at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in the last week of April. Kirk made a social media post on May 7, 2019 – the day before his th Birthday.
Since a while, I’ve been dealing with depression and alcoholism. After multiple relapses, I realized that I couldn’t control this. I’m taking a leave of absence from the PGA TOUR indefinitely to address these issues. I do not know when I will return, but I must now focus my attention on being the man that my family deserves. I appreciate your support.
Kirk earned over $4.8 million in 2014 with two firsts, five top 10, and five top 10. His highest world ranking was No. In 2015, he won the President’s Cup.
Slowly, however, his game began to decline. His life was ruined by spending so many nights alone in hotel rooms.
“I knew I couldn’t continue going in the direction that I was,” , he told The Palm Beach Post. My golf game wasn’t important to me at that time.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, four years after Kirk returned to competitive golf following his absence. It coincided with the first round in the 2019 World Wide Technology Championship.
has qualified for BMW Championship each of the three last seasons. In 2023, won a playoff against Eric Cole in The Honda Classic . He finished 2022-23 at No. The FedExCup standings for 2022-23 saw him finish No.32, his second highest finish in 13 years on Tour. It was also the highest finish since he finished at No. In 2014, he finished No. 2.
