Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener will take place without a former champion, as Tommy Gainey has chosen not to participate in the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic in order to give younger players a chance to make their breakthrough. 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 Day\”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (formerly 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, peaking in 2012 with a final round 60 to win the McGladrey Classic, his only PGA Tour title.
After years of struggles on the course and off, he returned to the winner’s circle at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, earning his third tour victory and an exemption to the event until 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin, wanting to give young players the opportunity to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and earn their way to the PGA Tour without taking away that chance. He expressed his love for the tournament but acknowledged how tough it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Given the many changes to the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it is more important that a player who has worked hard earns their spot.
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 good that anyone can win, even the last player in the field.”
Victories on the Champions Tour Make it Possible
Turning 50 in August opened another door for the American golfer: the Champions Tour. Over nine tournaments last year on the senior circuit, he won the Constellation Furyk & Friends event in October. These results earned him a full tour card for the Champions Tour this year, meaning he no longer relies on the Korn Ferry Tour.
It is commendable that Gainey is foregoing a chance at the $1,000,000 prize money to give 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…