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Florida men’s golfer Ian Gilligan has jumped to No. 2 in the PGA TOUR University rankings after a win in the Gators Invitational last weekend. It’s been quite the week for Gilligan, who was announced SEC Golfer of the Week on Wednesday. Gilligan started the spring season 8th in the PGA U ranking. He has upped his status after every tournament this spring.
The last UF golfer to rank this high was NCAA Individual Champion Fred Biondi. He ended the 2023 season ranked second.
What Is PGA TOUR U?
The Professional Golf Association identifies the best college golfers in the United States and provides such players with playing opportunities on Tours operated under the PGA TOUR umbrella.
The PGA TOUR University Ranking numbers collegiate players using the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). The ranking uses a point system based on their average performance in NCAA Division I men’s team competitions, official PGA TOUR tournaments, and select DP World Tour events over the last two years of one’s collegiate career.
PGA TOUR University alumni have won 24 professional events. 12 alumni have earned their PGA TOUR cards for the 2024 season.
Potential Benefits
If Gilligan finishes the season second in the rankings, the PGA lists benefits including:
- A Korn Ferry Tour membership for the then-current season and will be exempt into all open, full-field Korn Ferry Tour events. Begins the week following the conclusion of the NCAA Division I National Championship. Ends after the current Korn Ferry Tour regular season.
- Exempt membership on PGA TOUR Americas Segment I (through the Latin America Swing) the season following his finish in PGA TOUR University.
- No limit to the number of PGA TOUR events he plays as a nonmember in the then-current season and the following season.
- No limit to the number of PGA TOUR sponsor exemptions he may receive in the then-current season and the following season.
- Exemption into the final stage of the current season’s PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.
Gilligan sits in a great spot only two tournaments into the spring season. If he claims the top spot by seasons end, he will also earn:
- A PGA TOUR membership for the then-current season and will be placed at the end of the Top 5 finishers and ties from Q – School category (i.e., eligible for open, full-field PGA TOUR events). Begins the week following the conclusion of the NCAA Division I National Championship through the end of the current season.
- A PGA TOUR membership the season immediately following his finish in PGA TOUR University. Will be placed in the category for the previous season’s leading finisher on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai and Korn Ferry Tour Points List, subject to reshuffles.
Looking Ahead
The Gators have three more regular season tournaments before the SEC Championship for Gilligan to improve his WAGR. Since PGA TOUR U’s creation in 2020, no Gator has reached the top spot. Gilligan’s currently 44 points behind UNC’s David Ford. That point margin is a little inflated, as Ford has played two more qualifying tournaments (20) than Gilligan (18).
Florida’s next tournament, the Southern Highlands Collegiate in Las Vegas, starts March 2. Gilligan looks to defend his title, as he took the individual medal last year.
