Just one button could have ended John Catlin’s career nearly eight years ago. Catlin stepped in for Charles Howell III at LIV Golf Houston when the latter was sidelined with a tibia injury in his left leg, where Catlin secured a T24 finish, and then went on to achieve a T7 tie at LIV Golf Nashville. Interestingly none of it might have happened as the golfer was forced to almost end his career in 2016.

Recently, he competed in LIV Golf Andalucia, finishing T23, and is part of LIV Golf UK’s field this week. Currently, Catlin is known as a substitute member of Crushers GC, delivering strong performances on the greens. However, his journey to this point has its own compelling story!

Why was John Catlin almost forced to retire?

Before playing his first round at JCB Golf and Country Club, Catlin talked about one of the most important decisions in life. The story dates back to 2016 when the 33-year-old was playing the Canadian and Asian tours. As the year progressed it wasn’t looking good for him. He talked about his performance in Jakarta, Indonesia, and said “I was playing horribly and borrowing money from my parents,” to Golf Digest.

Catlin shot 77 in the final round of the Indonesian Open and “made 700 bucks.” After the tournament only $2000 was left in his bank account. Frustrated and demotivated John Catlin was planning to use this money to fly back to his home and start a regular job there. While preparing to buy a flight, he hesitated at the last moment and didn’t complete the purchase. Later, he revealed, “But I couldn’t do it; something inside me told me not to quit,” said the 33-year-old pointing toward his chest.

That was when he made the decision and called his coach Noah Montgomery who encouraged him to at least play the next tournament. The golfer played the Combiphar Golf International with a local caddy, a step down on the Asian Development Tour. Guess what happened next? He won the tournament and it saved his career. Now the golfer is enjoying his time at LIV Golf and planning and making it his priority.

Is John Catlin joining LIV Golf?

Before finishing T23 at LIV Golf Andalucia the 33-year-old played at the International Series Morocco. LIV Golf these rankings to grant spots for the next season, with the #1 finisher automatically securing a spot for the following year. Although clearly said “It (The International Series) is definitely priority one for me now,”  he finished second with a total of 277 15-under-par at the International series.

John Catlin is also enjoying his time at Greg Norman’s circuit and said “Having experienced the LIV Golf events, they are really cool, we are very well looked after, and playing that calibre of field for that kind of money is something we all want. That is priority one and I am looking for what will unfold over the next eight events.”

He still has a chance to join the regular circuit next year. If he continues to deliver strong performances, the Saudi-backed league might extend a special invitation to him.