Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opening event for selfless reasons, making room for younger players to shine.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will take place without a past champion as Tommy Gainey has chosen not to participate in the Bahama Golf Classic. Gainey, who won this event in 2020, was eligible to play until this year due to his previous victory but decided to step aside to give younger players a chance to break through.
Tommy Gainey: \”It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Day\”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and earned his full PGA Tour card by winning two tournaments in 2010. He found success quickly and peaked in 2012 with a final round 60 to win the McGladrey Classic, his only PGA Tour victory. After years of challenges on and off the golf course, he returned to the winner’s circle at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, securing his third Korn Ferry Tour win and an exemption to participate in the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation from tournament director Josh Franklin, preferring that young players have the chance to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and advance to the PGA Tour. He stated his love for the tournament and his understanding of how difficult it has become to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour nowadays. He emphasized that with all the changes in the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, it is more important for those who have worked their way up to benefit from starting opportunities.
He was quoted saying, \”It’s ten times harder than in my day. I didn’t want to take a spot away from anyone. These young players are so good that any one of them could win, even the last in the field.\”
Victory on the Champions Tour Makes It Possible
Upon turning 50 in August, Gainey gained access to another tour, the Champions Tour. He competed in nine senior events last year and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performance earned him a full Champions Tour card for this year, making him no longer dependent on the Korn Ferry Tour.
It is commendable that Gainey is foregoing a chance at $1,000,000 in prize money to allow others the opportunity to establish themselves in professional golf.
Tommy Gainey was in the @BahamasKFTour next week as a past champion of the event. It’s his last year for his past champion exemption.
A friend of his called me and said he WD, so a young guy could get a start. So I called him.
Of course Tommy picked up. Said he loves the…