Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons, giving young players a chance.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will take place without a past champion, as Tommy Gainey will not participate in the Bahamas Golf Classic. The 50-year-old, who won the event in 2020, would have been eligible to compete through this year but has chosen to give younger players the opportunity to break through.
Tommy Gainey: \”It’s ten times harder than in my day\”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and secured two wins in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success on the PGA Tour, reaching his peak in 2012 with a final round 60 to win the McGladrey Classic, his only PGA Tour victory.
After years of struggles on and off the golf course, Gainey returned to winning ways at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, marking his third Korn Ferry Tour win. This victory granted him an exemption to play in the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin because he wanted younger players to have the chance to prove themselves and advance to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the tournament but acknowledged how difficult it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Considering all changes in the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it’s more important that those who have worked their way up earn the right to compete.
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 good that anyone in the field can win, even the last one in.\”
Champions Tour win makes it possible
Turning 50 in August opened another door for Gainey — the Champions Tour. He played nine events on the senior circuit last year, winning the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His results earned him a full Champions Tour card this year, meaning he no longer relies on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Still, it is commendable that Gainey has passed up the chance to compete for the $1,000,000 prize money 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…