Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opening event for selfless reasons.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour opening event will proceed without a former champion as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahama Golf Classic. The 50-year-old won the tournament in 2020 and was eligible to compete until this year.
Tommy Gainey: \”It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Era\”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and secured two victories in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success on the PGA Tour, peaking in 2012 with a final round 60 to win the McGladrey Classic, his sole PGA Tour victory.
After years of challenges both on and off the course, Gainey returned to the winner’s circle at the Korn Ferry Tour’s 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, marking his third Korn Ferry Tour win and granting him exemption to the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined this exemption, telling tournament director Josh Franklin that he wanted to give younger players a chance to prove themselves and advance to the PGA Tour. He expressed love for the event and a desire to play but recognized how difficult it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Considering all the changes with the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it is more important that someone who has earned their spot benefits from the exemption.
He was quoted saying, \”It’s ten times harder than in my time. I wanted to make sure I didn’t take anyone’s spot. These young players are so good that anyone can win, even the last one in the field.\”
Champions Tour Victory Opens New Doors
Upon turning 50 in August, Gainey gained access to another opportunity 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 card on the Champions Tour for this year, making it unnecessary for him to rely on the Korn Ferry Tour anymore.
Nonetheless, Gainey’s decision to forgo his chance at a $1,000,000 prize purse highlights his dedication to giving other players the 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…