Gemma Dryburgh Bio
Gemma Dryburgh, born on 11 June 1993 in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a Scottish professional golfer who has built a steady career across multiple international tours. She played college golf at Tulane University before turning professional in 2015. Since then, Dryburgh has competed on the LPGA Tour, the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, the WPGA Tour of Australasia, the Symetra Tour, and the LET Access Series, collecting five professional victories along the way. Her strong showing at the 2023 Evian Championship, where she finished eighth, has been one of the defining moments of her career to date.
Early Life and Background
Gemma Dryburgh was born on 11 June 1993 in Aberdeen, a coastal city in northeast Scotland known for its granite architecture and golf culture. Growing up in a country with a deep relationship to the sport, she was introduced to golf at a young age, and the links-style courses of her homeland helped shape her early understanding of the game. Aberdeen and the wider Scottish amateur circuit gave her a foundation in shot-making and course management that would later support her move into competitive golf.
As a junior golfer, Dryburgh developed the skills that allowed her to attract attention from United States college programs. She eventually moved to the United States to attend Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she joined the college golf team. The experience of competing in American college golf helped refine her game and provided a competitive environment in which to prepare for a professional career.
Path to Professional Golf
During her time at Tulane University, Dryburgh competed at a high amateur level, representing her school in college tournaments. In 2014, she was selected to play in the Curtis Cup, a prestigious amateur team competition between the United States and Great Britain and Ireland. That same year, she also represented Scotland at the Espirito Santo Trophy, a leading international amateur team event, gaining valuable experience against top competition.
Following her amateur career, Dryburgh turned professional in 2015 and quickly began to accumulate experience on developmental tours. She played on the LET Access Series in her rookie year, making the cut in three of four events, a solid start that suggested she was ready for higher levels. She later spent time on the Symetra Tour and the ALPG Tour, where she earned her first professional victory at the Oatlands Ladies Pro Am during the 2016–17 season, confirming her potential as a touring professional.
Gemma Dryburgh Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Dryburgh’s early professional years were spent gaining experience on feeder tours. In 2015, she played on the LET Access Series and posted three made cuts in four starts, providing a confident introduction to professional tournament golf. She followed that up with appearances on the Symetra Tour in 2016 and 2017, where she made three cuts in five events in her first season and six cuts in ten events in her second season, steadily improving her consistency.
Her first professional win came on Australian soil during the 2016–17 ALPG season, when she captured the Oatlands Ladies Pro Am. That victory marked an important turning point, proving she could close out a tournament against professional competition. She also began playing on the Ladies European Tour in 2016, with one of her strongest early results being a tied sixth place at the 2017 Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open.
LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2018–Present)
Dryburgh joined the LPGA Tour in 2018, taking the next major step in her professional journey. In 2019, she made her major championship debut at the Women’s PGA Championship, which gave her a first taste of the biggest stages in women’s golf. Over the following seasons, she worked to establish herself in the field, gradually building the consistency required to compete week in and week out on the LPGA.
A major highlight came in 2023, when Dryburgh finished in a tie for eighth place at the Evian Championship, one of the five major championships on the LPGA Tour calendar. That result remains one of the strongest major championship performances of her career and helped raise her profile within the game. She has continued to play on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, giving her a varied competitive schedule across multiple continents.
Ladies European Tour and International Play (2016–Present)
Alongside her work in the United States, Dryburgh has remained a regular presence on the Ladies European Tour since 2016. Her best LET result in the early years of her career was a tied sixth place at the 2017 Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi. That finish demonstrated that she could compete on varied course types, from desert layouts to traditional parkland courses.
She has also earned a victory on the LPGA of Japan Tour, showcasing her ability to win outside of the LPGA structure. Together with her ALPG win and her LPGA breakthrough, her international victories have highlighted her adaptability and willingness to test herself in different golfing cultures and conditions.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Dryburgh’s most notable achievements is her tied eighth place at the 2023 Evian Championship, which stands as her strongest major championship result to date. She has also represented Great Britain and Ireland in amateur team events, including the 2014 Curtis Cup, and Scotland at the 2014 Espirito Santo Trophy. With five professional wins across multiple tours, she has shown an ability to perform at a high level on a variety of stages.
Gemma Dryburgh Career Wins
Gemma Dryburgh has accumulated five professional victories across several tours since turning pro in 2015. Her wins span the LPGA Tour, the LPGA of Japan Tour, the WPGA Tour of Australasia, and additional events outside the main tours, reflecting her international approach to the game. Her breakthrough win came at the Oatlands Ladies Pro Am on the ALPG Tour during the 2016–17 season.
LPGA Tour Highlights
On the LPGA Tour, Dryburgh secured a single victory, which was co-sanctioned with the LPGA of Japan Tour. That win marked a significant milestone, as it confirmed her ability to compete and win at the top level of women’s golf. Combined with her strong major championship showing at the 2023 Evian Championship, her LPGA career has been one of steady progress.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her LPGA victory, Dryburgh has posted wins on the LPGA of Japan Tour and the WPGA Tour of Australasia, along with additional titles outside the primary tour structures. Her early professional win at the Oatlands Ladies Pro Am remains a foundational moment, and her continued play on the Ladies European Tour has kept her connected to the European game.
Gemma Dryburgh Family
Personal Life
Gemma Dryburgh stands 5 feet 5 inches tall and represents Scotland in international competition. She continues to balance her schedule between tours in the United States, Europe, and beyond, a routine that reflects her commitment to competing at the highest level of women’s golf.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Gemma Dryburgh continues her dual commitment to the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, looking to build on the momentum generated by her 2023 Evian Championship result. With full status on the LPGA Tour and continued access to LET events, she has a busy schedule of tournaments across multiple continents, giving her ample opportunity to add to her five professional wins.
Her experience on varied course types, from links-style Scottish layouts to parkland courses in the United States, has made her a consistent contender in different conditions. The 2025 season offers a chance to push deeper into the upper reaches of LPGA leaderboards and to challenge for additional titles on both tours. Continued strong play could also position her for future major championship contention and potential team events at the international level.