Chris Kirk

After a difficult last couple years, Kirk bounced back with a very consistent season in 2020-21. He posted four top-10s and nine top-25s. He was solid all the way through the bag, posting a positive strokes gained number in every category. Kirk is still only 36; expect a similar season in 2021-22.

Kirk spent a good chunk of the 2019 calendar year away from PGA Tour competition for personal reasons, and he was a bit rusty upon his eventual return as he missed five straight cuts from the RSM Classic through the Honda Classic. Then all of a sudden he won the Korn Ferry Tour's King & Bear Classic in June, completely shifting the mood as he followed the victory with a top-25 performance at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Kirk ultimately ranked 30th in driving accuracy and GIR percentage, but he struggled on the greens.

The 34-year-old Kirk ended his 2018-19 season after the Zurich Classic for personal reasons, announcing that he was battling "alcohol abuse and depression." If and when he returns, Kirk should get some sort of medical extension, though the Tour has not announced those for the 2019-20 season as yet.

Kirk played out of his mind in 2014 when he won twice on his way to nearly $5 million in earnings and although he's played a high- evel since then, he's never come close to his peak season of 2014. Entering last season, Kirk has shown declines in earnings in each of his three seasons post-2014. He bounced-back last season, showing a gain for the first time since 2014, but he set the bar at a height which will make it difficult to top this season. Kirk earned over $1.8 million last season and considering he's topped the $2 million mark just two times in eight seasons, it's not likely that he'll show a significant improvement this season.

Kirk won twice and earned nearly $5 million during the 2014 season, which came as a big surprise to most, but a regression the following season didn't shock anyone. The season after that would explain a lot about Kirk and although he played well, it was well beneath the standard he had set the previous two seasons. Entering this past season, there was a clear downward pattern, but a quick start to the season made it appear as though Kirk just might get back to his previous levels ... and then the calendar flipped to 2017. Kirk's ranking is entirely due to his performance last fall, but his play during the spring/summer was a disaster. That said, Kirk ceiling is much higher than his salary number for this season, so he's someone to consider in salary cap leagues.

2014 was a banner season for Kirk. He won twice, earned nearly $5 million and ended the season ranked second on the FedEx Cup points list. It's understandable that Kirk couldn't produce at the same level the following season, but heading into this past season, many expected a rebound. That rebound never came and in fact, he actually regressed further. The question now becomes, was 2014 a complete fluke or can he get back to that level? He may not be able to get all the way back to his 2014-level, but he should be able to improve on his numbers from last season. As such, he's worth a look in salary cap formats. In drafts, he's a sixth-round pick.

Without a doubt, the surprise of the 2014 season. Kirk found himself in rarified air entering the 2014 Fed Ex Cup Playoffs and he didn't crumble under the pressure, he actually held his own against the best players in the world. The question of course is, can he keep it going in 2015? Yes and no. Yes, he'll continue to play well next season, but no, he won't be able to keep up the pace he set in 2014. Kirk is not a good option in salary cap leagues, but it's the draft leagues where he's really hard to peg. He's not a first-rounder, but he should find his way into the second round. The brave will take him early, everyone else will wait until the end of the second round.

Extremely consistent 2013 season. Made 19 of 23 cuts, including four top-10s and one runner-up finish. Kirk will need to find some higher-end finishes to improve upon his 2013 numbers, but that shouldn't be too difficult. Kirk is a decent option in salary cap formats and should go in the 50-60 in drafts.

Kirk made quite the first impression during his rookie season on the PGA TOUR. He earned his first career runner-up finish at the Shell Houston Open and later picked up his first career win at the Viking Classic. Entering 2012, it looked like Kirk was primed to take the next step. He did take a step, but it was a step backward. Kirk was unable to post even a top-3 last season and only earned four top-10s the entire season. Whatever the reason for the decline, it creates some doubt. To justify a pick at his price he'll need to be the player he was two years ago and then some, but that's a lot to ask. In draft leagues, Kirk should go in the eighth round.

Credit Chris Kirk, he made the most of his opportunities during his rookie season. If not, he'd be staring Q-School in the face. That's not the case, though, as Kirk capitalized on his good weeks by capturing a win and a runner-up finish last season. His win came at the Viking Classic, which isn't known for its strong fields but is a win nonetheless. And his runner-up finish came at the Shell Open, which normally has a decent field. Kirk is off a to a good start on his PGA Tour voyage, but it's doubtful it will get any easier this year. Kirk seems like a perfect candidate for a sophomore slump. In draft leagues, he should probably go in the seventh round.

Kirk joins the PGA TOUR via his second-place finish on the Nationwide Tour last season. Kirk used two victories and two runner-up finishes to earn the second spot on the Nationwide Tour last season. At only 25, the future looks bright for Kirk.