Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opener for selfless reasons, giving younger players a chance to break through.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour opening event will take place without a former champion as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahamas Golf Classic to provide younger players an opportunity to make their breakthrough. The 50-year-old won the tournament in 2020 and was therefore eligible to play through 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 events in 2010 to secure his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success on the PGA Tour, peaking in 2012 with a victory at the McGladrey Classic, where he shot a final round 60 for his sole PGA Tour win.
After years of struggles on and off the course, Gainey returned to victory at the Korn Ferry Tour 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, marking his third Tour win and earning him an exemption to participate in the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined this exemption to tournament director Josh Franklin, wishing instead to give younger players a chance to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and earn their way to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the tournament but acknowledged the increasing difficulty of qualifying for the Korn Ferry Tour in nowadays’ competitive landscape, emphasizing that those who have worked their way up should benefit from playing privileges.
He said, \”It’s ten times harder than when I played. I didn’t want to take a spot from anyone. These young players are so good that anyone can win, even the last player in the field.\”
Champions Tour Victory Opens New Doors
After turning 50 in August, Gainey became eligible for another path—the Champions Tour. Last year, he played nine senior events and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performance secured him a full Champions Tour card this year, freeing him from reliance on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Despite forfeiting the chance to compete for $1,000,000 in prize money, Gainey’s decision to step aside is commendable, allowing emerging players a 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…