Florida standout Ian Gilligan finishes T16 at Shriners Open

Ian Gilligan shot 3-under through two rounds at the Shriners Children Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gilligan managed two rounds of 70-69 and was T49 in strong winds and difficult playing conditions. Due to a long weather delay on Friday, the second round continued on Saturday morning.

He recorded eight birdies and five bogeys and was tied for 22nd in the field through the first two rounds. Gilligan shot a 5-under 66 and a 6-under 65 over the weekend to move to 14-under and move up to T16 in the tournament.

He ranked 10th in the field in putting and recorded no bogeys over the weekend. Gilligan is currently ranked No. 8 in the world by Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com.

Even after his summer of golf, he adapts well to unexpected circumstances.

“I think winning the Western Amateur over the summer was my biggest win in amateur golf,” Gilligan said after the first round. “That was simply because of how long and tiring the tournament was.”

Ian Gilligan won the prestigious 29-hole Western Amateur in early August to earn a spot at the Shriners this week.

RELATED ARTICLES
Ian Gilligan conquers the western amateur marathon
Ian Gilligan has made a splash in college golf four years after battling cancer

“Definitely the craziest game I’ve ever been a part of or ever heard of,” Gilligan told the Western Golf Association after the game. “I think I have to apologize to everyone for taking so long.”

Gilligan defeated his Florida teammate Parker Bell in 19 holes in the first semifinal, while Turner defeated Henry Guan in 19 holes to set up the All-Florida final.

According to the Western Golf Association, the longest Western Amateur final was a 22-hole affair in 2017 featuring Norman Xiong and Doc Redman. It was fought for more than an hour before Gilligan was crowned champion.

“Jack and I talked about it on our ninth playoff hole and decided we were ready for it to be over,” Gilligan said with a laugh. “But I kept telling myself that you are playing for a tournament of the largest magnitude and you have to keep going.”