Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey is a name synonymous with resilience and an unorthodox style in professional golf. Known for his signature two-gloved grip and baseball-inspired swing, Gainey’s journey from factory worker to PGA Tour winner is a testament to grit.
In this article, we explore his personal life, career milestones, financial standing, and legacy in the sport.
Tommy Gainey’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Thomas Dale Gainey Jr. |
| Nickname | Two Gloves |
| Born | August 13, 1975 (Age 49) |
| Hometown | Darlington, South Carolina, USA |
| College | Central Carolina Technical College |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Turned Pro | 1997 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $2 million |
| Spouse | Erin Gainey |
| Children | Two sons: Thomas and Davis |
Early Career
Tommy Gainey’s path to professional golf was anything but conventional. Before turning pro in 1997, he spent years working on the assembly line at A.O.
Smith’s water heater factory in McBee, South Carolina, often clocking 12-hour shifts. His evenings and weekends were dedicated to honing his game at local courses, where he developed his signature two-gloved grip—a style borrowed from his baseball days. Gainey scrapped his way through mini-tours like the Tarheel Tour and NGA Hooters Tour, funding his dream with factory wages and small tournament payouts.
Between 2004 and 2007, he notched four wins on these circuits, proving his raw talent. His big break came in 2007 when he won The Big Break VII: Reunion, a Golf Channel reality series, earning a PGA Tour card and sponsorships that finally let him quit factory work. This grind-from-the-ground-up journey laid the foundation for his underdog persona in professional golf.
Professional Career
Tommy Gainey’s professional journey is a rollercoaster of perseverance and late-blooming success. After earning his PGA Tour card in 2008 via Q-School—a feat that made him the first Big Break alum to do so—he struggled initially, making just five cuts in his rookie season. His career pivoted at the 2008 Children’s Miracle Network Classic, where a final-round 64 secured a runner-up finish, salvaging his Tour status.
The 2011 season marked his breakout year: seven top-10 finishes, including three third-place finishes, and a career-high $2.1 million in earnings. However, inconsistency plagued him, exemplified by a quadruple-bogey collapse at the 2011 Phoenix Open that cost him a potential win. Gainey’s defining moment came in 2012 at the McGladrey Classic.
Trailing by seven strokes entering Sunday, he fired a course-record 60—featuring eight birdies and an eagle—to clinch his lone PGA Tour title. The victory, his first in 105 starts, showcased his streaky brilliance and unorthodox swing. Despite flashes of success, injuries and erratic play led him back to the Korn Ferry Tour (formerly Nationwide Tour), where he thrived with three wins, including a 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic title just weeks after a personal scandal.
By 2025, Gainey’s career spans over $7.1 million in earnings across tours, anchored by 17 top-10 finishes and a world ranking peak of 84th. While no longer a PGA Tour regular, he leverages past champion status to compete selectively, embodying the grit of a player who clawed his way from factory floors to leaderboards.
Wife
Tommy Gainey remains married to Erin Gainey as of 2025. The couple, who tied the knot over a decade ago, has two sons: Thomas and Davis.
Despite his 2019 arrest during a Florida prostitution sting—a scandal that briefly overshadowed his career—Gainey has publicly credited his family as his support system. His PGA Tour bio and arrest reports consistently list Erin as his spouse, with no updates indicating a separation or divorce. The Gainey family continues to reside in Hartsville, South Carolina.
Tommy Gainey’s Net Worth Details
Tommy Gainey’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | $562,205 | Rookie PGA Tour season; 6 cuts made |
| 2011 | $2,174,191 | Career-best year: 7 top-10s, three 3rd-place finishes |
| 2012 | $1,540,749 | First PGA Tour win at McGladrey Classic |
| 2020 | $46,706 | Korn Ferry Tour victory in the Bahamas |
| Total | $7.1M+ | Combined earnings from PGA and Korn Ferry Tours |
Endorsements
Tommy Gainey’s blue-collar persona and underdog story made him a magnet for sponsors. A.O. Smith, his former employer at their McBee water heater plant, backed him through 2012, featuring their logo on his hat and shirt as he rose through the PGA Tour.
After his 2012 McGladrey Classic win, Gainey signed with Callaway Golf, switching to their clubs while retaining partnerships with Under Armour for apparel and The Dow Group for financial services.
Career Stats
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| PGA Tour Wins | 1 (2012 McGladrey Classic) |
| Korn Ferry Wins | 3 (2010 Chiquita Classic, 2010 Melwood Prince George’s County Open, 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic) |
| Top-10 Finishes | 17 (7 PGA Tour, 10 Korn Ferry Tour) |
| Lowest Round | 60 (Final round, 2012 McGladrey Classic) |
| Best Major Finish | T61 (2013 PGA Championship) |
| Career Earnings | $7.1 million+ (PGA/Korn Ferry combined) |
FAQs
1. Why is Tommy Gainey called “Two Gloves”?
Tommy Gainey earned the nickname “Two Gloves” for wearing two golf gloves during play—a habit inspired by his father and his baseball background. Unlike most golfers who wear one glove, Gainey uses gloves on both hands for grip and consistency, making it his signature style.
2. What is Tommy Gainey’s net worth?
Tommy Gainey’s net worth is estimated at $2 million. This includes earnings from tournament wins, endorsements, and sponsorships like Callaway Golf and Under Armour, alongside career prize money exceeding $7.1 million.
3. How many PGA Tour wins does Tommy Gainey have?
Gainey has one PGA Tour victory: the 2012 McGladrey Classic, where he shot a historic final-round 60 to overcome a seven-stroke deficit. This remains his lone PGA Tour win, though he has three Korn Ferry Tour victories.
4. What happened during Tommy Gainey’s 2019 arrest?
Gainey was arrested in a Florida prostitution sting dubbed “Operation Santa’s Naughty List.” He faced a misdemeanor solicitation charge, paid $6,218.60 in fines, and received 11 months’ probation. The incident occurred while he was in Florida for a charity golf event.
5. Where did Tommy Gainey go to college?
Gainey studied industrial maintenance at Central Carolina Technical College in South Carolina, graduating in 1999. He worked at a water heater factory before pursuing golf full-time.
6. Who is Tommy Gainey’s wife?
Tommy Gainey has been married to Erin Gainey for over a decade. The couple has two sons, Thomas and Davis, and resides in Hartsville, South Carolina.
7. What is unique about Tommy Gainey’s golf swing?
Gainey uses a rare baseball grip and a jerky, unorthodox swing often compared to “killing a snake with a garden hose.” His two-gloved technique and self-taught mechanics set him apart from traditional PGA Tour players.
8 .What are Tommy Gainey’s career earnings?
Gainey has earned over $7.1 million in prize money across the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours. His highest-earning year was 2011 ($2.17 million), fueled by seven top-10 finishes.
9. Is Tommy Gainey playing in the 2025 Puerto Rico Open?
Yes, Gainey is competing in the 2025 Puerto Rico Open (March 6–9) at Grand Reserve Country Club. He entered the event with conditional Korn Ferry Tour status and has made one cut in his last five tournaments.
10. How did Tommy Gainey qualify for the PGA Tour?
Gainey earned his 2008 PGA Tour card by graduating from Q-School after winning The Big Break VII: Reunion in 2007. He became the first Big Break alumnus to secure a Tour card, though he initially struggled, making only five cuts in his rookie season.
