Ex-LIV Golf star faces ‘absurd’ PGA Tour ban even if he earns historic spot

Former LIV Golf star Laurie Canter has branded a potential ban being handed to him by the PGA Tour as ‘absurd’ – having never held membership with the American-based circuit.

His chance could be the first time when a LIV participant will be able to play on PGA Tour after the formation of the Saudi league two years ago, particularly due to his good performances in DP World Tour this year. Returning to European circuit in 2001, Canter stands a realistic shot at one of the ten PGA Tour cards available with two tournaments to go.

Englishman has 11 players standing between him and final PGA Tour card on offer in the Race to Dubai Rankings, but two top performances here and Dubai this week may propel him into the Race to Dubai card.

A move to the PGA Tour would be a historic one for Canter, but it does come with some conditions. The former LIV player has been informed that despite never being a member with the game’s leading circuit, he will still have to serve a ban before competing due to his previous loyalties.

This would see the Englishman miss the opening run of events on the PGA Tour in 2025, with his ban expiring a year on from his last LIV appearance in February of this year. Unsurprisingly, Canter is not impressed. “I got sent a letter in the middle of the year,” he told Bunkered.

“The PGA Tour clarified the position I was in, which was that I was unable to play for a year from the last LIV event I played in which was Vegas. I replied saying, ‘Thank you for clarifying that. I think your policy is absurd’. And I do think it’s absurd. I’ve never been a member of that tour.

How can you ban someone who has never played on your tour? I would understand it if I was a member of their tour but in my context I don’t understand it. I am a golfer so I’m pro opportunity but it’s a bizarre way of sanctioning someone.”

Canter has had perhaps his best season to date having finally registered his maiden victory on the DP World Tour at the European Open early in the year. Since his triumph, the former Majesticks GC member has shifted focus to the efforts of trying to gain a card on the PGA Tour. ‘That, of course, would be great,’ he said when asked if he would be joining the American tour at The Open in July.

That is a dream of mine to play on the PGA Tour one day. 😉 But we still have really, really long to go… until the second half of the year. Many PCs of big-point tournaments. I was, I kind of, to be honest, before I won, was just a little bit trying to play as well as I could out of my category, make sure I was all right for next year.

I guess the objective: it’s kind of slightly moved the goal posts for me. Well, now I have a goal and that would be great I suppose.” Four months into his stay at Canter he is still in the reckoning considering the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the season ending DP World Tour Championship.