Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opener for selfless reasons, making way for younger players.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will take place without a former champion, as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahamas Golf Classic. The 50-year-old, who won the tournament in 2020, was eligible to play until this year but chose 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 (formerly Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and won two events in 2010 to secure his full PGA Tour card. He found success quickly on the PGA Tour, peaking in 2012 by winning the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60, his sole PGA Tour victory.
After years of struggles on and off the course, Gainey returned to winning ways at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. This marked his third victory on the tour and granted him an exemption to play in that event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation from tournament director Josh Franklin, preferring to let younger players have the opportunity to prove themselves and move on to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the tournament but acknowledged how difficult it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour, emphasizing that it’s more important for players who have worked their way up to benefit from the exemption.
He was quoted as 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 anyone of them can win, even the last player in the field.\”
Champions Tour Victory Paves the Way
Upon turning 50 in August, Gainey gained an additional opportunity through the Champions Tour. He competed in nine senior tour events last year, winning the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performances earned him a full card for the Champions Tour this year, meaning he no longer needs to rely on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nonetheless, it is commendable that Gainey is foregoing a potential $1,000,000 in prize money to allow other players a chance 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…