Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opener, making way for younger players to compete.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will take place without a former champion, as Tommy Gainey has chosen not to participate in the Bahama Golf Classic to give younger players a chance to break through. The 50-year-old won the tournament in 2020 and had eligibility to play until this year.
Tommy Gainey: ‘It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Day’
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and won two tournaments in 2010 to secure his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success there, reaching his peak in 2012 by winning the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60, marking his only PGA Tour victory.
After years of challenges on and off the golf course, Gainey returned to the winners’ circle at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, securing his third Korn Ferry Tour victory and earning an exemption to play in this event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation given by tournament director Josh Franklin, preferring to give young players a chance to prove themselves and advance to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the tournament but acknowledged how difficult it has become to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Gainey emphasized that with the changes to both the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, it is more important that players who have worked their way up benefit from starting rights.
He was quoted saying, ‘It’s ten times harder than in my day. I didn’t want to take a spot from anyone. These young players are so talented that any one of them can win, even the last in the field.’
Victory on Champions Tour Enables Decision
Turning 50 in August offered Gainey another opportunity via the Champions Tour. He competed in nine senior tour events last year, winning the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performance earned him a full Champions Tour card for this year, meaning he no longer depends on the Korn Ferry Tour.
It is commendable that Gainey is foregoing a chance at the $1,000,000 prize money to allow other players the chance 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…— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) January 3, 2026