Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons giving younger players a chance.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will proceed without a past champion as Tommy Gainey will not participate in the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahama Golf Classic, allowing younger players the opportunity to break through. The 50-year-old had won the tournament in 2020 and was eligible to play until this year.
Tommy Gainey: ‘It’s Ten Times Harder Than In My Day’
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and won two events in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success there, peaking in 2012 when he shot a 60 in the final round to win the McGladrey Classic, his sole PGA Tour victory.
After years of challenges on and off the course, Gainey returned to the winner’s circle at the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, marking his third tour win and granting him an exemption to play in this event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin. He prefers to give young players the chance to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and advance to the PGA Tour, not wanting to deny them this opportunity. He expressed love for the tournament but acknowledged how difficult it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Considering all the changes in the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it is more important for someone who has worked hard to earn their spot to benefit from the exemption.
He was quoted saying, \”It’s ten times harder than in my day. I didn’t want to take anyone’s place. These young players are so good, anyone can win, even the last player in the field.\”
Champions Tour Victory Enables New Path
Upon turning 50 last August, Gainey gained eligibility for another option beyond the Korn Ferry Tour—the Champions Tour. He played nine events on the senior circuit last year, winning the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His results earned him a full Champions Tour card for this year, removing the need to rely on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nonetheless, Gainey’s decision to forgo the $1,000,000 prize money for this event is commendable as he gives others the 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…