Kirk Pulls Out Popular Win in Home State


Chris Kirk hung tough down the stretch, closing with a 4-under 66 on the Seaside Course at Sea Island, Ga., to win the McGladrey Classic for his second title on the PGA Tour.

The Atlanta native and University of Georgia graduate posted five birdies and bogey to finish at 14-under 266. Kirk, who has a home in the resort community, won the $5.5 million PGA Tour event by a stroke.

Kirk, playing in the final group with fellow 54-hole co-leader Briny Baird and Kevin Stadler, tied with Baird for the lead following a birdie on the par-3 17th hole. On the par-4 18th, Baird's second shot from a tough bunker lie found the water, leading the 41-year-old to a bogey and a share of second place with Tim Clark.

"It's unbelievable (to win) at Sea Island - my home," the 28-year-old Kirk said at greenside. "This tournament has always been so special to me." His first title since the 2011 Viking Classic was worth $990,000, 500 FedEx Cup points and an automatic berth in the 2014 Masters in Augusta, Ga.

Baird's bogey - along with four earlier birdies - gave him a 67, but he just missed the chance for his first Tour title. He birdied Nos. 13 and 14, but three-putted the par-5 15th that prevented him from taking a seemingly insurmountable three-stroke lead.

Clark soared to the top of the leaderboard with a stellar 62 - the tournament's low round - that included five birdies on the front nine and four more on the back. The diminutive South African's only dropped shot came on the par-4 14th.

Tied for fourth at 269 were Americans Scott Brown (66) and Brian Gay (67), along with Australian John Senden, who closed with a 67. Four behind Kirk were Matt Every, Webb Simpson and Matt Kuchar, who each carded 4-under 66s on the par-70 course.

Stadler, who got near the leaders thanks to a 65 Saturday, closed with a 71 to end up in a share of 10th at 272 with Aussie Greg Chalmers (64), Sweden's Robert Karlsson (65), and Americans Brian Harman (67), Daniel Summerhays (68) and Jason Kokrak (69).

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.