Chris Kirk makes a brave statement about alcohol abuse, depression

Chris Kirk has announced that he’s taking an indefinite leave of absence from the PGA TOUR to address personal issues with alcohol and depression.

Chris Kirk is a four-time PGA TOUR winner. He was a national champion in college at the University of Georgia, and a Ben Hogan Award winner as the best collegiate golfer in 2007. He finished second in the 2014 FedEx Cup, and made the American roster for the 2015 Presidents Cup. Chris Kirk is unique in these ways, a golfer who has reached some of the highest points in a professional career.

Chris Kirk is also a human being, vulnerable to the same issues as anybody else in the world. On Tuesday, he announced that he would be taking an “indefinite leave” from the PGA TOUR to address his personal issues with alcohol abuse and depression.

I readily admit, I am not an expert in these matters, but this brave statement from Kirk is a reminder to us all that these things don’t just affect the “regular” folks among us, leading a 9-to-5 life. We tend to only see the best in the amazing athletes on the PGA TOUR – playing the best golf courses in the world, traveling in luxury and generally living the good life. But even those blessed with talents most of us can only dream of are still vulnerable – in some ways, perhaps more so – to some very real problems.

Studies have shown that as many as 15 million American adults deal with alcohol use disorder. Approximately 16 million have major depressive disorder. Again, I’m no doctor, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see some crossover in these two demographics. Note, of course, that none of these statistics mention occupation or economic status. The brains of rich and famous people aren’t any different than your local accountant, auto mechanic or short-order cook.

It’s easy from the outside looking in to wonder what could “go wrong” in some of these guys’ lives. But the life of a traveling professional (in just about any field) can be a grind. It’s impossible to judge anyone’s situation unless you’ve lived it. But this open admission of a struggle from Chris Kirk is admirable. Not only is he willing to admit that he needs help, but perhaps that will be the stepping stone for someone out there who sees it to do the same.

Here’s wishing Chris Kirk – and everyone out there who may be in a similar position – all the best in the road to recovery. Health and happiness is far more important than hitting a little white ball into a hole. And if he is able to return to his profession someday in the future, we’ll welcome him back with open arms, too.