Tommy Gainey has withdrawn from the Korn Ferry Tour season opener for selfless reasons.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. The 50-year-old, who won the tournament in 2020, was eligible to play until this year but chose to give younger players a chance to break through.
Tommy Gainey: ‘It’s Ten Times Harder Than In My Day’
Tommy Gainey joined the Korn Ferry Tour (then Nationwide Tour) in 2007, winning two events in 2010 to earn his full PGA Tour card. He quickly found success, reaching his peak in 2012 by winning the McGladrey Classic with a final round 60, marking 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 marked his third tour victory, granting him an exemption to participate in the event through 2026.
However, Gainey declined the invitation given by tournament director Josh Franklin, wishing to allow younger players the opportunity to prove themselves and earn PGA Tour status without competition from past champions like himself. He expressed love for the event and a desire to play but acknowledged how difficult it is nowadays to qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour. Gainey stated that with the many changes in the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours, it is more important that someone who has worked their way up benefits from the exemption.
He was quoted saying, ‘It’s ten times harder than in my day. I didn’t want to take anyone’s spot. These young players are so good that anyone can win, even the last player in the field.’
Champions Tour Victory Provides New Opportunities
After turning 50 in August, Gainey gained eligibility for the Champions Tour. He competed in nine senior events last year and won the Constellation Furyk & Friends tournament in October. These results earned him a full Champions Tour card for this year, freeing him from reliance on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Still, it is commendable that Gainey forgoes a chance at the $1,000,000 prize money to create opportunities for emerging players 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…