Sanderson Farms Championship: Power Rankings
The first time was almost the charm for Chris Kirk in his first trip to the Country Club of Jackson in 2016. The former Georgia Bulldog tied for second place and finished only four shots behind winner Cody Gribble.
Kirk was under par in all four rounds to reach 16-under and had a 65 on Saturday to match the low round of the day.
The 32-year-old is in jeopardy of going his first calendar year on the PGA Tour without a top 10, but he made 15 of 24 cuts with four top-30s.
Traditionally a good ball striker, Kirk finished 62nd in GIR last season and could build on that going forward. Kirk’s not a long driver, but he hit 63.93 percent of his fairways (51st) and was 39th in proximity from the fairway. If Kirk can keep that formula going, he should have some good looks at birdie this week. Plenty of those are needed.
Kirk tied for 54th in his last start at the no-cut CJ Cup in South Korea. He tied for 30th in his last start in the U.S., the Safeway Open.