Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will proceed without a past champion, as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahama Golf Classic. The 50-year-old had won the event 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 secured two wins in 2010 to earn 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, his only PGA Tour victory.
After years of struggles both on and off the golf course, Gainey returned to winning ways at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. It was his third win on the tour, granting him an exemption to the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined this invitation from tournament director Josh Franklin, preferring to give younger players the opportunity to break through and progress to the PGA Tour. He expressed his love for the event and willingness to play, but recognized how challenging it has become to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Citing changes in both tours, Gainey emphasized the importance of the exemption benefiting a player who has worked their way up.
He was quoted saying, “It’s ten times harder than in my day. I didn’t want to take a spot away from anyone. These young players are so skilled that anyone in the field can win, even the last man.”
Champions Tour Victory Makes It Possible
Since turning 50 in August, Gainey gained access to another pathway beyond the Korn Ferry Tour: the Champions Tour. Last year, he competed in nine senior events and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His results earned him a full Champions Tour card for this year, removing his reliance on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Despite foregoing the chance to compete for a $1,000,000 purse, Gainey’s decision honors his commitment to helping emerging players 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