Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour opener will take place without a former champion, as Tommy Gainey will not participate in the Korn Ferry Tour Bahama Golf Classic, wanting to give younger players a chance to break through. The 50-year-old had won the tournament in 2020 and would have been eligible to play until this year.
Tommy Gainey: \”It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Time\”
Tommy 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 and reached his peak 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 winner’s circle at the Korn Ferry Tour 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, his third win on the tour, granting him an exemption to play this event until 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin, preferring that young players have the opportunity to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and advance to the PGA Tour. He said he loves the tournament and would like to play but understands how difficult it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Gainey added that given all the changes on the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, it is more important for someone who has worked their way up to benefit from the exemption.
He was quoted saying, \”It’s ten times harder than in my time. I didn’t want to take anyone’s spot. These young players are so good that any of them can win, even the last in the field.\”
Champions Tour Win Makes It Possible
When Gainey turned 50 in August, he gained another opportunity besides the Korn Ferry Tour: 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 tour card for the Champions Tour this year, so he no longer relies on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nonetheless, it is commendable that Gainey passes on the chance to compete for the $1,000,000 purse to give other players a chance to establish themselves in the field of 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…