Did Greg Norman lose his wager on Anthony Kim? It was unlikely that anyone could have foreseen the subsequent turn of events when LIV Golf controversially removed Laurie Canter with Anthony Kim. Norman was perceived as taking a risk when he decided to bring back Kim, a player who had been out of the professional ranks for more than ten years.

However, Norman’s faith in Kim was heavily questioned following his dismal LIV debut, in which he placed dead last in Jeddah. The player that LIV dumped, Canter, has been subtly preparing a stunning comeback.

Ex-LIV golfer’s retaliation after Norman swapped him with Anthony Kim

The recovery of Laurie Canter has been nothing short of remarkable. Canter has been determined to establish his value, but Anthony Kim’s comeback to the professional game has been fraught with difficulties. The English golfer’s recent victory at the South African Open, where he defeated Dylan Naidoo in a sudden-death playoff, has shown his unquestionable form. Interestingly, after being eliminated by LIV, Canter has won two DP World Tour competitions after just three starts.

Along with his victory, Canter is now almost certain to make it to the Players Championship on the PGA Tour, something he was unable to do during his time on LIV. With the tweet, “Laurie Canter is virtually guaranteed now to be the very first ex-LIV player to compete at The Players Championship on the PGA Tour, as he will qualify for Sawgrass via being in the top 50 of the OWGR,” FlushingGolf beautifully highlighted the artistic beauty in his journey. Laurie, who was released by LIV Golf for Anthony Kim a year ago, is facing Dylan Naidoo in an unexpected playoff at the South African Open for the opportunity to win his second DP World Tour tournament in three starts.

In addition to The Players, Canter’s high standing is anticipated to secure him an invitation to The Masters, illustrating how well he has used his second opportunity. Given how drastically this change contrasts with Kim’s difficulties, Norman’s choice to split from Canter is becoming more and more questionable. Although LIV was expecting Kim to make headlines post return, Canter has taken center stage—ironically, not under LIV’s ownership but back on the PGA Tour. His supporters have voiced their opinions as Canter regains his position among the top players in golf. 

Fans’ reaction to Laurie Canter’s magnificent return

Canter’s comeback has been warmly received by golf fans, who have praised his tenacity. The mood was eloquently encapsulated in one fan’s response: “That is incredible, great for him. It sucks LIV didn’t axe someone else to make room for AK. That’s our loss.” The idea that Canter was a regrettable victim of Norman’s choices, whereas Kim’s return was a risk, is reinforced by this response. “Well done, Laurie,” said another admirer. This succinct yet heartfelt response shows how widely Canter’s accomplishment is appreciated. His success after LIV suggests that athletes don’t always need to play in the Saudi-sponsored league to be exceptional.

Another response from a fan was, “Delighted for Laurie. Tremendous person & player.” This emphasizes Canter’s standing in the golf world as well as his skill as a player. Even though LIV has frequently come under fire for its ruthless tactics, Canter’s victory serves as a reminder that skill and tenacity can still prevail in the long run. An individual also provided a more nuanced perspective, saying, “Well, ‘back’? He wasn’t really a PGAT player before LIV… He only has his major starts and a con-sanctioned event before.” This perspective illustrates how Canter’s professional journey has confounded expectations; even before his time on LIV, he wasn’t competing at this level. 

The choice to cut Canter in favor of Kim also caught some fans off guard; one fan wrote, “Can’t believe LIV gave him the boot for Anthony Kim.” This response highlights how erratic professional sports can be and how contentious management choices may occasionally be. It also shows how highly Canter is regarded by supporters.

Whatever the diverse opinions, one thing is certain: one of the most interesting plotlines in golf this season is Laurie Canter’s comeback. In a sport where second chances are scarce, Canter has made the most of his opportunity, demonstrating that, although LIV dismissed him, skill is still valued and acknowledged in the golf community at large.