Former LIV Golf pro avoids 'absurd' PGA Tour situation

Former LIV Golf stand-in Laurie Canter was among a group of players that narrowly missed out on earning a PGA Tour card over the weekend. 

Canter was in the field at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. 

World No.3 Rory McIlroy walked away with his fourth win of the season and he also clinched his sixth Race to Dubai title in the process.

McIlroy, 35, sent a direct message to his wife Erica and daughter Poppy after finishing 2024 on the best possible note after an emotionally draining season that saw him play 27 events. 

As for Canter, he finished solo 14th at Jumeirah Golf Estates with a four-round total of 6-under. 

It meant that he finished 24th in the rankings. 

Only the top-10 players not otherwise exempt earned their playing rights on the American circuit for the 2024-2025 campaign. 

England's Jordan Smith was the bubble boy after Tom McKibbin grabbed the last card. 

Click here to see which 10 DP World Tour players earned their PGA Tour cards. 

Before heading to the Middle East, Canter revealed that in the event he was to earn a full card then he would have to serve a ban at the start of the year owing to his previous association with LIV. 

Canter played several events on the breakaway tour as a stand-in. 

He told bunkered the situation was 'absurd'. 

"I got sent a letter in the middle of the year," said. 

"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 will now enjoy some time off. 

The 2024-2025 DP World Tour season gets underway on Thursday with the BMW PGA Championship in Australia. 

It is the first of five events on the Opening Swing. 

Cameron Smith, LIV's 2022 marquee signing, headlines the field at Royal Queensland. 

Watched our latest YouTube video?