Former LIV Golf star Laurie Canter has labeled the potential ban from the PGA Tour as ‘absurd,’ given that he never held membership with the American-based circuit.

Canter could become the first LIV player to play on the PGA Tour since the Saudi league’s inception two years ago, thanks to his impressive performance on the DP World Tour this year.

After returning to the European circuit in 2024, Canter is now in a position to secure one of the 10 PGA Tour cards available with just two events remaining. The English golfer currently has 11 players between him and the last PGA Tour card on offer in the Race to Dubai Rankings, but he knows that two strong performances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this week could earn him a spot.

A move to the PGA Tour would be historic for Canter, but it comes with conditions. Despite never being a member of the game’s leading circuit, the former LIV player has been told he will have to serve a ban before competing due to his past affiliations.

This would mean Canter missing the opening series of events on the PGA Tour in 2025, with his ban ending a year after his last LIV appearance in February of this year. As expected, Canter is not pleased.

“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.”

Laurie Canter won earlier this year

Laurie Canter celebrates earlier this year ( 

Image:

Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Canter has enjoyed arguably his most successful season to date, claiming his first ever DP World Tour win at the European Open in June. Ever since his victory, the former Majesticks GC member attention has turned to chasing a spot on the PGA Tour. “That would be awesome, wouldn’t it,” he said of playing his way onto the American circuit at The Open in July.

“To play on the PGA Tour is something I would love to do at some point. Still, we’ve got such a long way to go. with the second half of the year. A lot of big-point tournaments.

“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. It’s kind of slightly moved the goal posts for me. I’ve got something to aim for, and that would be great, yeah.”

Four months down the line, Canter is still in contention, looking ahead to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and the impending finale at the DP World Tour Championship.