Laurie Canter has had one of the most unique golfing careers so far. He has been on both sides of the ongoing rivalry. In 2022, he skipped a few events on the DP World Tour to play on LIV Golf. Outside the all-exempt category, Canter fell into a category where his opportunities to tee up on his home tour faced limitations. But that also meant he could play elsewhere in weeks when he was outside the starting line-up on the DP World Tour, 

The moment the professional joined the breakaway league, he was sent a letter in the middle of the season. The letter stated that he would be ineligible on the tour for 12 months after his last LIV event. To this, he responded, “Thank you for clarifying that. I think your policy is absurd”. However, looks like he is the player who is on the verge of changing history. 

After an exceptional season on the DP World Tour, he shifted his focus to the DP World Tour playoffs in the Middle East. What truly is his goal? The DP World Tour’s contentious ’10 Cards Initiative’ has allowed top golfers without existing exemptions to secure playing rights on the American circuit. Canter has been among those benefiting from this initiative in 2024. He is on the 18th rank in the list, trying to make it to the top 10. 

While he will secure a spot in the 2025 season of the PGA Tour, he will still have to miss the first few events. The Sentry, the Sony Open, The American Express, the Farmers Insurance Open, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the WM Phoenix Open. This is because he moved to LIV Golf and violated the rules. “Suppose this could all shake out if, oh I don’t know, Yasir Al-Rumayyan becomes the chairman of the PGA Tour board or something. Who knows,” wrote the Tee Times on the X account as they reported the news.

Turns out Laurie Canter is not the only one who has suffered because of joining LIV Golf. During its inception in 2022, the PGA Tour wasted no time in punishing players who chose to compete in the new rival golf tour. On the day of the very first LIV Golf event, the PGA Tour suspended 17 players.

Jay Monahan suspended top players from Phil Mickelson to Dustin Johnson

The first event of the breakaway league was hosted on June 9, 2022, at the Centurion Club. LIV Golf London had some of the top PGA Tour Pros in the field. And well, to compensate for what they had done, Monahan denied them entry event to the Presidents Cup. “These players have made their choice for their financial-based reasons,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote in a memo to players. “But they can’t demand the same PGA TOUR membership benefits, considerations, opportunities, and platform as you.”

According to Monahan, the deflecting of the players was disrespectful to the Tour, the fans, and partners. Among the names are top players like Phil Mickelson, and Dustin Johnson. Sergio Garcia, Charl Schwartzel, and Martin Kaymer are major championship winners who have received PGA suspensions. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section below!