Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opener for selfless reasons, giving younger players a chance.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 past champion, as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic. 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 Time\”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour in 2007 (then Nationwide Tour) and won two tournaments in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success on the PGA Tour, peaking in 2012 when he won the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60—his only PGA Tour win.
After years of struggles on the course and controversies off it, Gainey returned to the winner’s circle at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. It was his third tour win, earning him an exemption to play in this event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined this invitation to tournament director Josh Franklin, choosing instead to give younger players the opportunity to prove themselves and advance to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the tournament but understood how difficult it is today to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Given the changes in both the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believed it was more important for a player who has worked their way up to benefit from the exemption.
He was quoted saying: \”It’s ten times harder than when I played. I didn’t want to take a spot away from anyone. These young players are so good that anyone can win, even the last player in the field.\”
Success on the Champions Tour Enables the Decision
Turning 50 in August opened up another path for Gainey on the Champions Tour. He competed in nine senior tour events last year and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His results earned him a full Champions Tour card this year, so he no longer depends on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Still, it is commendable that Gainey forgoes his chance at the $1,000,000 purse to give other players an opportunity to establish themselves in professional 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…