Is Ian Gilligan Cancer Free?: The PGA Tour Pro’s ‘Horribly Anorexic’ State That Worries His Dad Explored

At 21, Ian Gilligan has already had a life’s worth of experience. At least when it comes to dilapidating health or untreatable diseases. And unlike most, he experiences an accelerated version of it.

Gilligan was only 15 when he was diagnosed with cancer. He went through episodes of immense pain and torture even before he was out of school. Fortunately, he also recovered from the same to eventually realize his dreams and become a pro in golf.

6 years later, after becoming a pro, he also played his first PGA event. While we all may have forgotten his past experiences, he recently reminded us of the same during a press conference for the Shriners Children’s Open 2024. What did he have to say? Let’s find out.

“He looked like someone horribly anorexic.” – Grant Gilligan

On a random day of stretching, before hitting the course, 15-year-old Ian Gilligan felt something strange. Speaking to the PGA Tour media, he said, “I kind of noticed something was weird was just kind of stretching for a tournament, and I just felt like I lost mobility in a stretch.” Ignoring the issue, young Gilligan went on to continue his routine for a few more months until the issue worsened.

Gilligan finally decided to consult the doctor with the assumption that it might be an ordinary cyst. But nothing was ordinary about what was going on inside his body. After taking a closer look at his condition and following a biopsy report, it was confirmed that the future pro golfer was hosting cancerous cells in his body. And this wasn’t an ordinary diagnosis either. The kind of lymphatic cancer housing Gilligan’s body was considered quite rare.

With rare medical conditions comes the grueling wait for the treatment to begin. For 6 painful weeks, Ian Gilligan waited for his doctors to decide how they were going to deal with his worsening condition. During this period, he stayed away from golf as he was immensely suffering and also had lost a lot of weight. “He looked like someone horribly anorexic,” said Grant as he was losing hope. Grant also stated, “The whole time you’re thinking, ‘Is my child going to survive?” He used to argue with the doctors every day and also revealed, “There was a time I sat down with the doctor, and I broke down and I said, ‘You have to start treatment now.’” But Grant and Julie (Ian Gilligan’s mother) didn’t show their increasing despair in front of their son. Gilligan said, “I know they were super emotional. Seeing my mom crying was just terrible.”

When the doctors finally decided on the approach for Gilligan’s treatment, they mentioned that it had an 85% chance of survival. Soon after, Ian Gilligan began chemo and it turned out to be a miraculous therapy. Within a week, he stopped experiencing pain and soon enough he even started swinging again. After 7 months of consistent treatment, Ian Gilligan was free from cancer.

Gilligan went on to complete his transition from a junior to a pro in the following years. So what is the Reno native up to now?

Life after beating cancer

Fondly known as ‘Gilly’, Ian Gilligan turned pro this year. He has since made the cut for the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open. This being his first tournament, not many are expecting him to pick up the championship. Even then, he is performing quite well and can grab a share of the prize money. He is currently sitting at T50 with a score of -3 alongside the likes of Beau Hossler and Ryan Fox among others.

Just at the age of 21, he has a long way ahead of him and we are sure to see him perform a lot better in the future. For now, what position do you think he will end up in on October 20th? Share your views in the comments section.