Chris Kirk takes leave of absence from PGA Tour for alcohol abuse, depression

PGA Tour golfer Chris Kirk has taken a leave of absence after multiple battles with alcohol abuse and depression, he announced in a statement on social media on Tuesday.

The announcement came just one day before his 34th birthday.

“I have dealt with alcohol abuse and depression for some time now,” Kirk said in a statement. “I thought I could control it, but after multiple relapses I have come to realize 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.”

Kirk has won four times on the PGA Tour, most recently at the 2015 Colonial. He ended the 2014 season at No. 20 in the World Golf Rankings, and briefly reached as high as No. 16. Kirk was also a member of the 2015 United States Presidents Cup team.

He has struggled on Tour since the 2015 season, however. He missed 10 cuts in 2017 and finished in the top-10 just once. Kirk has missed 11 cuts in 17 events this season, and has missed nine of his last 12. He did finish tied for 15th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, by far his best finish of the season.

Kirk last played at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last month, and is currently ranked 179th in the FedExCup standings.

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