Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour opening event will take place without a former champion, as Tommy Gainey will not participate in the Bahamas Golf Classic. The 50-year-old, who won the tournament in 2020, chose to give younger players the opportunity to break through. His eligibility to play in the event lasted until this year.
Tommy Gainey: ‘It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Time’
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007 and won two tournaments in 2010 to secure a full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success on the PGA Tour, reaching his peak in 2012 when he won the McGladrey Classic with a final round of 60, his only PGA Tour victory.
After years of struggles and off-course controversies, Gainey returned to winning ways at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. This third tour win gave him an exemption to participate in the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined this invitation to tournament director Josh Franklin, wanting younger players to have the chance to prove themselves and advance to the PGA Tour. He said he loves the tournament and would like to play but understands how difficult it is to qualify nowadays. Considering all the changes on the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it’s more important for those who have worked hard to benefit from the exemption.
He was quoted saying: ‘It’s ten times harder than in my time. 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.’
Victory on the Champions Tour Makes It Possible
When Gainey turned 50 in August, another opportunity opened up for him on the Korn Ferry Tour, the Champions Tour. Last year he played nine events on the senior tour and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. His performance earned him a full Champions Tour card for this year, so he is no longer reliant on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nevertheless, it is commendable that Gainey forgoes his chance to compete for a $1,000,000 purse to give other players the opportunity to establish themselves in professional golf.