ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 21 – Tommy Gainey today became the first alumnus from Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’ reality competition series to win on the PGA TOUR, following his record-breaking final round of 10-under-par 60 at The McGladrey Classic. Gainey erased a seven-stroke deficit today on the Seaside course, narrowly missing a shot at becoming the sixth player in PGA TOUR history to record a 59 in tournament competition and captured his first PGA TOUR win by one shot over David Toms.Gainey, 37 and nicknamed “Two Gloves” for wearing gloves on both hands, first gained notoriety with golf fans as a two-time participant on Golf Channel’s Big Break series - Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe – in 2005 and later winning Big Break VII: Reunion in 2006.
Gainey also became the first Big Break alumnus to earn full status on the PGA TOUR card in 2008 when he advanced through 2007 PGA TOUR Q-School.
Prior to today’s victory, his top finish on the PGA TOUR was his rookie year in 2008 at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classicwhen he finished runner-up to Davis Love III. Gainey also has two victories on the Web.com Tour (2010).
Gainey is scheduled to join Golf Channel’s Morning Drive on Monday to discuss his first PGA TOUR victory.
Golf Channel is currently airing its 18th season of Big Break – Big Break Greenbrier – Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET. The winner of Big Break Greenbrier will receive one the largest prize packages in series history, including $50,000 in cash and a exemption to compete in the 2013 Greenbrier Classic on the PGA TOUR.
-NBC Sports Group-
