Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour opener for selfless reasons, giving younger players a chance to break through.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 season opener will proceed without a former champion, as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahama Golf Classic. The 50-year-old, who won the tournament in 2020, was eligible to play through this year, but chose to give younger players a chance to make their breakthrough.
Tommy Gainey: “It’s Ten Times Harder Than in My Time”
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 on the PGA Tour, peaking in 2012 when he won the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60, marking his only PGA Tour victory.
After several challenging years and off-course controversies, Gainey returned to winning ways at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour. That victory marked his third on the tour, granting him an exemption to participate in this event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation through tournament director Josh Franklin, expressing his desire for young players to have the opportunity to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and advance to the PGA Tour. He stated he loves the tournament and would like to play but understands how difficult it is today to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Given the changes on both the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, he believes it’s more important that players who have worked their way up benefit from the exemptions.
He was quoted saying: “It’s ten times harder than in my time. I didn’t want to take anyone’s spot. These young players are so good that anyone of them can win, even the last player in the field.”
Victory on the Champions Tour Makes It Possible
Turning 50 in August opened a new pathway for Gainey—the Champions Tour. He played nine events last year on the senior circuit and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends event in October. His results secured him a full Champions Tour card for the current year, providing an alternative to the Korn Ferry Tour.
Still, it is commendable that Gainey is foregoing the chance to earn $1,000,000 in prize money to enable other players to establish themselves in professional golf.