Kirk has revived his career after he changed his life
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Webb Simpson and Bryson DeChambeau were expected to be contenders at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, taking advantage of a relatively weak field and course by PGA Tour standards.
Chris Kirk was not.
A year after taking a leave of absence from the PGA Tour to address alcohol abuse and depression, though, he has turned around his life and revived his career.
Kirk had a 7-under 65 on Friday to take the second-round lead at the Detroit Golf Club, and Simpson later shot a 64 to pull into a tie atop the leaderboard at 12-under 132.
“I was out there thinking about him a little bit, just with his decision to take some time away from golf and take care of himself,” Simpson recalled. “I’m so proud of what he’s been able to do and come back and make the comeback he’s made, winning on the Korn Ferry Tour. And, now he’s out here trying to win a PGA Tour event.”
Kirk won a Korn Ferry Tour event two weeks ago, using the PGA Tour’s developmental circuit as a springboard to compete again with the world’s best players.
When Kirk stopped playing last year, he didn’t know what his future was in the sport.
“I kind of just didn’t care at that point,” he recalled. “I was focused on doing what I needed to do to be healthy, to be a good husband for my wife and a good father to my kids. I was thankfully in a place financially where my career could wait.”
The 35-year-old Kirk has won four times on the PGA Tour, most recently in 2015.
Simpson won the RBC Heritage two weeks ago in South Carolina, finishing at a tournament-record 22-under for his second win of the season and seventh of his career.
He withdrew from the Connecticut event last week because one of his daughters appeared to have COVID-19, but she later tested negative.
Simpson and DeChambeau chose to come to the Motor City while many of the PGA Tour’s top players skipped the tournament.
NBA PACERS STAR OLADIPO WON’T PLAY >>
Indiana Pacers star guard Victor Oladipo will skip the restarted season in the Orlando area, according to multiple media reports.
Oladipo played in just 13 games before the season was interrupted by the coronavirus, missing the first 47 games due to a torn right quad tendon sustained in January 2019. He is concerned about re-injury and also cited a lack of comfort with the restart situation.
“I really want to play, and as a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart,” Oladipo told The Athletic. “I feel like I’m at a great place in my rehab and getting closer and closer to 100 percent. With all the variables, from how I have to build my five-on-five workload back up, to the increased risk of a soft tissue injury which could delay my rehab, and the unknown exact setup of the bubble, I just can’t get my mind to being fully comfortable in playing.”
HEAT CLOSE PRACTICE FACILITY >>
The Miami Heat closed their practice facility for training after a second player tested positive for the coronavirus, multiple media outlets reported.
Derrick Jones Jr. was identified as testing positive last week, but the name of the latest player to contract the coronavirus was not reported.
According to the Miami Herald, the latest player to test positive was placed in quarantine but is still expected to be ready to join the team for the season’s restart. HAYWARD WILL LEAVE BUBBLE FOR BABY’S BIRTH >>
Boston forward Gordon Hayward said he will leave the team — and the NBA bubble near Orlando, Fla. — when it’s time for the birth of his fourth child if the Celtics haven’t been eliminated.
Hayward’s wife, Robyn, is due in September. The Eastern Conference semifinals are set to begin Aug. 30, with the conference finals scheduled to commence by Sept. 15.
If the Celtics are still in the playoffs after the baby’s born, Hayward will be required to quarantine for four days upon his return to Florida and have multiple negative tests for the coronavirus before he can rejoin his team.
“That’s a pretty easy decision for me on that,” Hayward said. “I’ve been there for the birth of all my children.” College football GUNDY TAKES PAY CUT >>
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy took a $1 million pay cut and had his contract shortened by a year as part of an internal review prompted by sharp criticism from his star running back for wearing a T-shirt promoting a farright news channel.
Athletic director Mike Holder said the adjustments to Gundy’s contract were the coach’s idea. Holder reiterated his belief Gundy has always treated Black players well a day after releasing a statement saying the review found “no sign or indication of racism” in the football program.
Holder said Gundy’s rollover contract was reduced from five years to four and the guarantee was cut from 75% to 50%.