Four-time PGA Tour winner Chris Kirk announced on Tuesday that he will be taking an “indefinite leave” from the Tour while he deals with his alcohol abuse and depression issues.
The 34-year-old University of Georgia standout put out a short statement on social media announcing his decision.
“I have dealt with alcohol abuse and depression for some time now,” Kirk wrote. “I thought I could control it, but after multiple relapses I have come to realize that I can’t fix this on my own. I will be taking an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour to deal with these issues. I don’t know when I will be back, but for now I need my full focus on being the man my family deserves. Thank you for your support.”
Tomorrow I will celebrate my 34th birthday but I have already begun a new and better chapter in my life. Thank you to my friends and family for being there for me. pic.twitter.com/XJjFYyojlh
— Chris Kirk (@Chris_Kirk_) May 7, 2019
Kirk has had a steady, successful and prosperous career to this point. He turned pro in 2007 and earned his PGA Tour card after three seasons that included a pair of wins on the Web.com Tour.
Kirk picked up his first PGA Tour victory at 2011 The Viking Classic — now the Sanderson Farms Championship — an opposite-field event played the same week as the Open Championship.
Over the next seven seasons, Kirk won three more times and reached as high as 16th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Kirk had played in 17 events this season on the PGA Tour, making the cut in six of them. His best finish came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational where he finished tied for 15th. Kirk has made more than $17 million on Tour in his career.
Kirk and his wife, Tahnee, have three children ages 7, 5 and 20 months.
