Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opening event, making way for younger players to break through.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will take place without a former champion as Tommy Gainey decided not to participate in the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic. The 50-year-old, who won the tournament in 2020, was eligible to play through this year but chose to give younger players a chance to succeed.
Tommy Gainey: \”It’s Ten Times Harder Than In My Time\”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (formerly Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and secured two wins in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He reached his peak in 2012 with a final round 60 to win the McGladrey Classic, marking his sole PGA Tour victory.
After years of challenges on and off the course, Gainey returned to victory at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, his third Korn Ferry Tour win, granting him an exemption to play in the event until 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation from tournament director Josh Franklin, stating that he wanted younger players to have the opportunity to prove themselves and advance to the PGA Tour. He loves the tournament and would have liked to play but understands the increasing difficulty of qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour nowadays. Considering the changes in the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it is more important that those who have worked their way up deserve to benefit from exemptions.
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 anyone can win, even the last in the field.\”
Champions Tour Victory Opens New Doors
Turning 50 in August gave Gainey another opportunity on the Champions Tour. Last year, he competed in nine events on the senior circuit and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performance earned him a full card for the Champions Tour this year, removing the need to rely on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nevertheless, Gainey’s decision to forgo the chance to compete for the $1,000,000 prize money at the Korn Ferry Tour event speaks to his character, allowing other players 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…