Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opening tournament for selfless reasons.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will proceed without a past champion as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahama Golf Classic. The 50-year-old winner of the event in 2020 chose to give younger players a chance to break through. Having won the tournament in 2020, Gainey 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 known as the Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and secured two victories in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. His peak came in 2012 when he won the McGladrey Classic by shooting a final round 60 for his only PGA Tour victory.
After years of struggles on and off the course, Gainey returned to the winner’s circle at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. That win marked his third on the tour, granting him an exemption to compete in the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined this exemption with tournament director Josh Franklin, wishing instead that younger players be given the opportunity to prove themselves and ascend to the PGA Tour. He expressed love for the tournament but acknowledged the difficulty of qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour nowadays, emphasizing that it was more meaningful for those who have worked hard to earn their spot to benefit from this privilege.
He was quoted saying, \”It’s ten times harder than in my day. I didn’t want to take a spot away from anyone. These young players are so talented that anyone in the field can win, even the last player.\”
Champions Tour Victory Opens New Doors
Upon turning 50 in August, Gainey gained eligibility for the Champions Tour, providing an alternative to the Korn Ferry Tour. He competed in nine senior events last year and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performance secured him a full tour card for the Champions Tour in 2026, meaning he no longer depends on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nonetheless, Gainey’s decision to forgo a chance at $1,000,000 in prize money to allow emerging talent an opportunity to establish themselves is admirable.
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…