Tommy Gainey (full name: Thomas Dale Gainey Jr.; born August 13, 1975), also known as "Two Gloves", is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour, and the PGA Tour Champions.
Early Life and Background
Gainey was born in Darlington, South Carolina. He attended Central Carolina Technical College, where he studied industrial maintenance and graduated in 1999. Before turning to professional golf, he worked on an assembly line for A.O. Smith Corporation in South Carolina, wrapping insulation around hot water heaters.
Professional Career
Early Years and Minitours
Gainey turned professional in 1997 and spent several years playing on smaller tours in the southern United States, including the Egolf Tarheel Tour, the NGA Hooters Tour, and the Gateway Tour. He appeared on the Golf Channel's The Big Break IV: USA vs. Europe in 2005 and later won The Big Break VII: Reunion at Reunion in 2007. That same year, he earned his PGA Tour card through Q-School, becoming the first Big Break alumnus to do so.
PGA Tour
Gainey's first full PGA Tour season was 2008, during which he struggled, making only five cuts in 23 events. He regained full status through the Nationwide Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) in 2010, where he won two events: the Melwood Prince George's County Open and the Chiquita Classic. He finished fourth on the Nationwide Tour money list, earning a return to the PGA Tour in 2011.
In 2011, Gainey recorded seven top-10 finishes, including three third-place finishes (The Heritage, Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and Wyndham Championship). He qualified for his first major championship at the 2011 PGA Championship.
On October 21, 2012, Gainey won his first and only PGA Tour event at the McGladrey Classic, shooting a final round of 60 to come from seven strokes back and win by one stroke over David Toms. He missed a 20-foot putt on the 18th hole that would have given him a 59.
Korn Ferry Tour
In January 2020, Gainey won The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, his first professional win since 2012.
PGA Tour Champions
On October 5, 2025, Gainey won his first PGA Tour Champions title at the Constellation Furyk & Friends in Florida, entering as a Monday qualifier. He finished with a 6-under 66 for a two-shot victory over Cameron Percy. He was named PGA Tour Champions Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Playing Style and Nickname
Gainey is widely known as "Two Gloves" because he wears black, wet-weather golf gloves on both hands at all times, a habit he learned from his father. He uses a rare baseball-style grip on full shots and has an unconventional, jerky swing that has been described as "trying to kill a snake with a garden hose."
Personal Life
In December 2019, Gainey was arrested in a prostitution sting in Florida. He was sentenced to eleven months of probation, 100 hours of community service, and fines of $6,218.60.
Professional Wins (14)
- PGA Tour: 1 win (2012 McGladrey Classic)
- Korn Ferry Tour: 3 wins (2010 Melwood Prince George's County Open, 2010 Chiquita Classic, 2020 The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic)
- PGA Tour Champions: 1 win (2025 Constellation Furyk & Friends)
- Other: 9 wins (including NGA Hooters Tour, Gateway Tour, Tarheel Tour, and Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational)
Major Championship Results
Gainey's only major championship appearance where he made the cut was the 2013 PGA Championship (T61). He missed the cut at the PGA Championship in 2011 and 2012.
