Laurie Canter recently opened up about his ban from the PGA Tour. The English golfer is banned from playing on the American golf series for 12 months because he competed in LIV Golf events. He played two full seasons and also participated in two events on the Saudi-backed circuit earlier this year.
As a result, Laurie Canter, who now plays on the DP World Tour, is banned from competing in all PGA Tour-sanctioned tournaments for 12 months, despite never owning a PGA Tour card.
Canter now has a golden chance to earn a Tour card if he finishes in the top 10 in the Race to Dubai rankings. Notably, the American Tour grants European Tour players who finish in the top 10 in the Race to Dubai earn a PGA Tour card at the end of the season.
However, even if Canter earns the card, the Bath-born golfer will miss a few tournaments at the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season due to the 12-month ban, with his last LIV Golf event being in Las Vegas in February 2024.
Laurie Canter recently discussed the ban, saying (via Bunkered):
“I got sent a letter in the middle of the year. 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’,” Canter said.
“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,” he added.
Notably, this year Canter has only played in two tournaments on the Saudi circuit, including Las Vegas and Mayakoba. Last year, he participated in 11 tournaments on the circuit, and in 2022, he competed in seven events.
