Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons. The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will proceed without a former champion as Tommy Gainey chose not to participate in the Korn Ferry Tour Bahama Golf Classic to give younger players a chance to break through. The 50-year-old won the tournament in 2020 and was eligible to play until this year.
Tommy Gainey: “It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Day”
Tommy Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and secured two victories in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success on the PGA Tour, reaching his peak in 2012 by winning the McGladrey Classic with a final-round 60. After years of challenges on and off the course, Gainey returned to victory at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, marking his third win on the tour and granting him an exemption to participate in the event through 2026. However, Gainey declined this invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin, opting to give younger players the chance to prove themselves and advance to the PGA Tour, not wanting to take away that opportunity. He expressed 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 exemptions. He was quoted saying, “It’s ten times harder than in my day. I didn’t want to take anyone’s spot. These young players are so good that any one of them can win, even the last player in the field.”
Champions Tour Victory Opens New Doors
Upon turning 50 last August, Gainey found a new opportunity to continue his career on the Champions Tour. Last year, he competed in nine senior tournaments and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends event in October. His performance secured him a full card on the Champions Tour for this year, so he no longer relies on the Korn Ferry Tour. Nevertheless, it is honorable that Gainey is forfeiting a chance to compete for the $1,000,000 prize fund to allow other players the opportunity to establish themselves in professional golf.