Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opener for selfless reasons, giving younger players a chance.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will proceed without a former winner, as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahama 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 an opportunity to break through.
Tommy Gainey: ‘It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Time’
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour in 2007 (then Nationwide Tour) and won two events in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success there, peaking in 2012 with a final round 60 to win the McGladrey Classic, his only PGA Tour victory.
After years of struggles on and off the course, Gainey returned to the winner’s circle at the Korn Ferry Tour 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, his third tour victory, which earned him an exemption to play in this event until 2026.
However, Gainey declined this invitation, preferring to allow young players the chance to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and advance to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the tournament but acknowledged the growing difficulty of qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour today. He believes that it is more important that those who have worked hard for their spots get to benefit from exemptions, saying, “It’s ten times harder than in my time. I didn’t want to take anyone’s place. These young players are so good that anyone can win, even the last in the field.”
Victory on the Champions Tour Makes It Possible
Upon turning 50 in August, Gainey also gained access to the Champions Tour. He competed in nine events on the senior tour last year and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends event in October. These results earned him a full Champions Tour card for this year, removing his reliance on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nevertheless, Gainey’s choice to forgo a potential $1,000,000 prize to help fellow players establish themselves in professional golf is highly commendable.
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 (@acaseofthegolf1) January 3, 2026