Making History

The 10th grade history class was restless and loud. Kristen Gillman, the substitute teacher for the day, was trying her best to calm the class down. The teenagers of this school in Austin, Tex., milling around and talking amongst themselves, had no idea that “Ms. Gillman” was an LPGA Tour member. Prior to playing on the LPGA Tour, Gillman had one of the most decorated junior careers in the history of golf. 

Despite finishing 80th on the LPGA points list in 2024, Gillman needed some extra money. The LPGA season consisted of 35 tournaments in 10 different countries, which meant player expenses were exorbitant. So, as she had done in previous years, Gillman turned to substitute teaching. 

There have been very few golfers in history, male or female, to win two U.S. Amateurs and the North-South Amateur: The last three to do it are,  JoAnne Carner, Jack Nicklaus, and…that substitute teacher. On top of that, Gillman won multiple junior events, was named SEC Freshman of the Year at the University of Alabama, and finished T27 at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shoal Creek as an amateur. 

Later in 2018, Gillman finished T13 at Q-series (LPGA Q-school), earned status for the following season, and turned pro. The Crimson Tide alum made her first five cuts in a row to start the 2019 season, including a T6 at the ANA Inspiration, an LPGA major. Her final round 66 was the best score of the day and vaulted her into the top-10.

The 2019 season was a rousing success, though not surprising given her historic amateur career. Gillman made 22 of 26 cuts, had four top-10s, and finished 35th in points. It seemed like she was making major steps towards becoming a top player in the world. 

The 2020 season, which was shortened by Covid, wasn’t bad either. Gillman made 12 cuts in 15 starts. However, the following season, Gillman struggled for the first time in her career. 

“I had gotten better basically every year I’ve ever played,” Gillman said. Gillman then started dealing with some mechanical issues in her swing and began losing confidence. The setbacks also came with a financial burden and led to a slump. 

After a poor 2021 season where Gillman finished 116th in points and lost her full LPGA card, 2022 was split between the LPGA and Epson Tour. Splitting time across multiple tours is difficult for conditional players, and Gillman struggled to adjust. She made just three of eight cuts on the LPGA Tour and seven of 14 on Epson. 

Sponsors are tough to come by for LPGA players, especially when there are bumps in the road. Gillman felt fortunate that some sponsors stood by her during the hard times, but the bills were adding up. 

Gillman’s sister is a teacher, which is how the idea of substitute teaching came about. Substitute teaching allowed Gillman to work when her schedule opened up. A half-day of pay is $75, and a full-day pay is $150. She fit golf in, practicing when she could. Sitting at a desk all day became part of her motivation to improve. “I need to get back to the LPGA Tour,” she told herself continuously.

The 2023 season was the first time Gillman didn’t have a single start on the LPGA Tour. In hindsight, it was a blessing as she worked on her game and focused on succeeding on the Epson Tour. Gillman’s alignment off the tee had been inconsistent for a while. “When you struggle off the tee, it puts so much pressure on the rest of your game,” Gillman said. Once her alignment off the tee was fixed, her results improved.

The two-time U.S. Amateur Champion played 22 events on the Epson Tour in 2023, making 20 cuts, but she came to the Tour Championship with work to do. The top 10 players on the season-long points list earned LPGA cards for 2024, and coming into the Tour Championship, Gillman found herself in a tight battle for the final card. 

“It is some of the best golf under pressure that I’ve played as a pro,” Gillman said about her final two rounds at the Tour Championship. The closing two holes that week changed the course of her career. 

Coming to the back nine, Gillman was battling Notre Dame alum and longtime Epson Tour member, Rebecca Huffer. A few strokes either way would make the difference. With just two holes left, Gillman knew she needed to make something happen. A great tee shot at the par-3 17th led to a birdie. The par-5 18th at Indian Wells Country Club was playing relatively easy, but with an LPGA card on the line, she’d have to execute under tremendous pressure.

A perfect drive and a hybrid to four feet – a shot Gillman calls “top three of my life” – led to a closing eagle. The eagle secured the final LPGA card…by a single shot. Had she made birdie, she would have finished 11th for the season. 

The return to the LPGA was another successful step. Gillman had two top-10s in 27 starts and finished 80th in points, quickly retaining her card. Despite having one of the best seasons of her pro career and one of the best amateur records in golf history, Gillman has very little sponsor help. This is the reality for many women who aren’t near the top of the world rankings.

To start the season, Gillman is carrying a blank bag and wears a hat without a single sponsor logo on it. Gillman has never been more appreciative to play golf for a living, but there are blank spaces that need to be filled.

Ms. Gillman was teaching just a few weeks ago and has had two top-30 finshes in her only two LPGA starts this year. The goal is to play well enough to make teaching a job of the past.

Kristen is a Carry athlete and her full profile, including an opportunity to play in a pro-am with her, is at this link.