Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour’s opening event – and he has selfless reasons behind it.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour opening tournament will take place without a former champion. Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Korn Ferry Tour Bahamas Golf Classic to give younger players a chance to break through. The 50-year-old had won the tournament in 2020 and was thus eligible to play until this year.
Tommy Gainey: “It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Time”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and won two tournaments in 2010 to secure his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success there and peaked in 2012, winning the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60, his only PGA Tour victory.
After years of struggles on and off the course, Gainey returned to the winners’ circle at the 2020 Korn Ferry Tour Bahamas Great Exuma Classic. That was his third Korn Ferry Tour win, granting him an exemption to participate in this event up to 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin, wanting younger players to have the opportunity to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and advance to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the tournament but recognized the difficulty of qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour today. He said, considering all the changes to the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, it was more important for players who have worked hard to earn their spot to benefit from this exemption.
He was quoted saying: “It’s ten times harder than in my time. I didn’t want to take away anyone’s spot. These young players are so good, anyone in the field can win, even the last one.”
Victory on the Champions Tour Makes It Possible
Turning 50 in August opened another door for Gainey, the Champions Tour. He played nine events on the senior tour last year and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His results earned him a full card for the Champions Tour this year, meaning he no longer needs to rely on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Still, it is commendable that Gainey passed on a chance to compete for a $1,000,000 purse to let other players establish themselves in professional golf.