Ian Gilligan won the Southern Highlands Collegiate shooting 8-under and earned an exemption into the PGA Tour’s Shriners Open this October.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Florida men’s golfer Ian Gilligan was tabbed back-to-back SEC Golfer of the Week honors after winning the Southern Highlands Collegiate. He is the first Gator to win back-to-back since women’s golfer Maisie Filler this past November.
Gilligan started the tournament off hot, shooting a 67 (-5) on Sunday characterized with a bogey free back nine that included three birdies. The transfer from Long Beach State made 15 birdies over three days of play and eagled the ninth hole on day two.
His victory earned him an exemption into the PGA Tour’s 2024 Shriners Open. It also marked back-to-back medalist honors at the tournament by a Gator as Yuxin Lin, who was also a transfer, and last year’s champion. Gilligan is the fourth UF golfer to win at the Southern Highlands, joining Sam Horsfield (2016) and Camilo Villegas (2004). The win marked the fifth of Gilligan’s career.
This season Gator golfers have claimed six weekly conference honors – Matthew Kress (Golfer), Luke Poulter two-times (Freshman) and Jack Turner (Freshman).
Florida has a few weeks off, before traveling to the Schenkel Invitational in Statesboro, Ga. The three-day event begins on March 15 at Forest Heights.
###
