The native of Greenwood, Ind. persevered through multiple rain delays on Wednesday at Sycamore Hills Golf Club to shoot a final round 69 to finish 5-under 211, three shots clear of Adam Bratton of Newburgh. With the victory, Gillard becomes the first repeat champion since Jeff Overton won back-to-back titles in 2003 and ’04.
By the time they reached the par-5 15th , a short rain delay was called. After this rain delay, however, Gillard sunk a birdie putt on the 15 to move to 7-underpar for the tournament and extend his lead by four shots over Bratton. Shortly after play resumed, another short rain delay was called, testing Gillard’s mental toughness. After the second rain delay, Gillard double-bogeyed the 18th, extending Gillard’s lead to three heading to his last hole.
“I saw on the leaderboard that I was three shots ahead going into the last hole, but it didn’t really change my game plan,” Gillard said. “It definitely gave me a sense of security, though.”
Gillard two-putted for par on the par-4, 18 to shoot a final round score of three-under-par, 69 and finish at 5-under par for the tournament. The round was good enough to defeat Bratton by three shots and win the Indiana State Amateur for the second year in a row.
Gillard started his collegiate career at Illinois but will join the Indiana golf team for his senior season next fall. The 22-year old was the IHSAA boys golf individual champion in 2017 at Center Grove High School. “This win means the world to me," Gillard said. “Being in the same conversation as Jeff Overton is pretty cool, especially since I’m going to Indiana also.” Gillard will be transferring to Indiana University this fall and will be a member of the men’s golf team. “I am so excited to continue my academic and golf career at IU,” Gillard said. “I’m extremely grateful that Coach Mayer welcomed me with open arms when I entered the transfer portal, and I couldn’t be more excited to be a Hoosier.”