Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour’s opening tournament for selfless reasons.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will proceed without a former champion as Tommy Gainey chose 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 was eligible to play until this year.
Tommy Gainey: ‘It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Time’
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 on the PGA Tour, reaching his peak in 2012 when he won 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 winning ways at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, marking his third Korn Ferry Tour win and granting him an exemption to compete in this tournament through 2026.
However, Gainey declined this invitation to tournament director Josh Franklin, expressing a desire to give young players the chance to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and make it to the PGA Tour. He said he loves the event and would like to play but understands how hard it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Considering the many changes in both tours, he believes it’s more important for a player who has earned it to benefit from the starting rights.
He was quoted saying, \”It’s ten times harder than in my time. I didn’t want to take the spot from anyone. These young players are so good that anyone can win, even the last in the field.\”
Victory on the Champions Tour Makes It Possible
Upon turning 50 in August, Gainey gained access to another competitive venue, 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 tour card for the Champions Tour this year, freeing him from dependence on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Despite foregoing a chance to compete for a $1,000,000 prize fund, Gainey’s decision honors the spirit of offering opportunities to emerging players 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