Kirk nips Theegala for sixth PGA Tour title

LOS ANGELES – Chris Kirk’s eighth birdie of the day at the 17th lifted him to a one-stroke win over Sahith Theegala in the US PGA Tour Sentry tournament at Kapalua in Hawaii on Sunday.

Kirk’s eight-under-par 65 gave him a 29-under total of 263 on the par-73 Plantation course, where he started the day with a one-stroke lead.

He had pushed the advantage to two strokes with five front-nine birdies.

But Theegala’s run of four straight birdies from the 13th through the 16th had seen him take the solo lead before Kirk responded at the par-five 15th – where he had a 12-foot eagle chance but settled for a birdie.

Theegala, who had 10 birdies in his 10-under par 63, was in the clubhouse on 28-under 264 when Kirk birdied 17, landing his 206-yard second shot two and a half feet from the pin.

“That one on 17 I’ll remember for a long time,” said Kirk, whose par at the par-five 18th was plenty to claim a sixth PGA Tour title.