Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons.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 former champion, as Tommy Gainey has decided not to participate in the Bahama Golf Classic. At 50 years old, Gainey, who won this event in 2020 and retained eligibility through this year, chose to give younger players the opportunity to break through.
Tommy Gainey: “It’s ten times harder than in my day”
Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then the Nationwide Tour) in 2007, winning two tournaments in 2010 to secure his full PGA Tour card. He reached a career peak in 2012, winning the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60 for his sole PGA Tour victory.
After facing years of struggles on and off the course, Gainey returned to the winners’ circle at the 2020 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, marking his third tour win and earning an exemption to play in this event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation, conveyed to tournament director Josh Franklin, wishing to allow younger players a chance to prove themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and earn their PGA Tour cards. He expressed love for the tournament but recognized how difficult it is today to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Gainey emphasized that with many changes in the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, it’s more important that players who have worked their way up benefit from starting spots.
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 any one of them can win, even the last player in the field.”
Champions Tour victory enables this decision
Upon turning 50 in August, Gainey gained a new opportunity to compete on the Champions Tour. He played nine events on the senior tour last year and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends event in October. His results earned him a full Champions Tour card this year, freeing him from dependence on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Nonetheless, Gainey’s decision to forgo a chance at $1,000,000 in prize money to give others an opportunity to establish themselves in professional golf is commendable.