Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener to give younger players a chance to break through.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour opening event will take place without a former champion as Tommy Gainey will not participate in the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahamas Golf Classic, choosing to give younger players the opportunity to make their breakthrough. The 50-year-old won the tournament in 2020 and thus had eligibility to play until this year.
Tommy Gainey: \”It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Time\”
Tommy Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and won two tournaments in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He found success quickly and reached his peak in 2012 by winning the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60, marking his only PGA Tour victory.
After facing several challenges on and off the course, Gainey returned to the winner’s circle at the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, earning his third win on the tour and an exemption to participate in the event until 2026.
However, Gainey declined this invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin, wanting to give younger players a chance to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and progress to the PGA Tour, not wanting to take away their opportunity. He expressed that while he loves the tournament and would like to play, he understands how difficult it has become to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Considering all changes in the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it is more important that someone who has worked their way up benefits from the eligibility.
He was quoted saying, \”It’s ten times harder than in my time. I didn’t want to take a spot away from anyone. These young players are so good that any one of them can win, even the last player in the field.\”
Victory on the Champions Tour Makes It Possible
When Gainey turned 50 in August, another opportunity beyond the Korn Ferry Tour arose for the American golfer — the Champions Tour. He competed in nine senior tour events last year, winning the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performance earned him a full tour card for the Champions Tour this year, so he no longer needs to rely on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nevertheless, it is admirable that Gainey passes on a chance for $1,000,000 prize money to give 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…
— Monday Q Info (@acaseoft