One-time PGA champion Tommy Gainey, known as “Two Gloves,” was eligible to return to the Bahamas for the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season opener. 

Instead of using the spot, Tommy Gainey chose to withdraw so another player could receive a start.

According to a report from Monday Q Info on X from January 4, Tommy Gainey contacted Bahamas tournament director Josh Franklin to inform him that he was withdrawing from the event so another player could take the spot. 

“These young guys are so good, any one of them can win, even the last guy in the field.”

The Bahamas tournament has a purse of $1 million, with approximately $180,000 awarded to the winner.

Josh Franklin appreciated Gainey for informing him before withdrawing and said, “I’m not sure many would do what you’re doing.”

Gainey lost his Korn Ferry Tour status after the 2013–14 season and did not regain it. He won the Bahamas event in 2020 and eventually shifted his focus to PGA Tour Champions eligibility after turning 50 in 2025. 

Tommy Gainey earned his 2026 PGA Tour Champions status by Monday qualifying into the Furyk & Friends event in October and winning, which provided a full exemption for the 2026 season. 

With that status secured, Gainey chose to withdraw from the Bahamas Korn Ferry Tour opener so another player could receive the start.

Tommy Gainey’s Schedule for 2026

Gainey is now scheduled to begin his PGA Tour Champions season later this month, with his first start as an exempt player at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai on January 22.

Approximately two and a half months later, to compete at the Senior PGA Championship in Bradenton from April 16–19, the Regions Tradition in Birmingham from April 30–May 3, and the U.S. Senior Open Championship in Columbus from July 2–5.

And the Constellation Furyk & Friends in Palm Coast from October 9–11, where he will be the defending champion.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu