Golf fans are baffled as player with seven PGA Tour appearances in 2025 appears to be LIV bound, ‘wow’

Laurie Canter: Golf is a brutal world — it'll find a way to spit you out

It’s that time of year again when LIV Golf begin to make their move with new acquisitions from the PGA Tour.

LIV Golf completely changed the golfing landscape when they were formed in 2022, and numerous high-profile PGA Tour players have since jumped ship to join the Saudi-backed golf league.

The likes of the long-hitting Bryson DeChambeau, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and Spanish superstar Jon Rahm have all made the move to LIV over the past few years, along with many other huge names.

LIV made their latest signing in the form of Victor Perez earlier this week, but the Frenchman is hardly a needle-mover, is he?

As things stand, there is still an ongoing power struggle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.

Former LIV golfer Laurie Canter qualifies for The Players - Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Talks between the two entities have continually reached an impasse.

It has been claimed that LIV’s insistence on the team aspect remaining in any kind of deal is believed to be a huge sticking point.

And until a merger is struck, there will continue to be numerous players switching sides during the off-season.

Golf fans baffled as player with PGA Tour card appears to be LIV bound

The news broke on Friday that Laurie Canter is expected to rejoin LIV Golf ahead of the 2026 season.

Canter earned his PGA Tour card for 2026 after finishing inside the top-10 of the DP World Tour Eligibility Rankings.

However, Sports Business Journal claim that the man who left LIV Golf in 2024 is set to return to the Saudi-funded circuit.

Numerous golf fans took to social media platform X to share their views on Canter’s alleged decision to return to LIV Golf.

“That would be very surprising. Feels like he really found a good home on the DPWT, and now he has a PGAT card as well,“ one fan exclaimed, while another simply said: “Oh that’s a terrible call.“

Many others echoed similar sentiments, with fans claiming: “Well if he does go ahead with this move, he shouldn’t be allowed to be part of the DPWT in future,“ and, “Surely he made enough money the first time? Play the PGA and build yourself a reputation as a good golfer because he is well capable of competing.“

Meanwhile, one fan shared his utter disbelief that Canter has apparently decided to rejoin LIV: “Wow, surprised by that decision. I would imagine he’s going to be a Majestick.“

And the comments kept coming.

“PGA Tour should invoke 5 year stand-downs from the last LIV event now. If true, this is rubbish from Canter, as it takes a spot from someone that really wanted to be there. Make them pariahs for good,“ one fan insisted.

While another questioned LIV’s ambitions: “Great for Canter as easier money. But I’m not understanding these signings from LIV? The CEO needs to come out and explain vision on the talent acquisition for LIV moving forward?“

Another golf fan poked fun at LIV Golf’s lack of competitive nature: “His bank manager will be pleased but his swing coach will probably be made redundant now he’s returning to exhibition golf!“

Canter’s decision to return to LIV undoubtedly surprised many golf fans, and rightly so.

He has worked so hard to secure his place on the PGA Tour in 2026, and the Englishman throwing all of that away for a big signing-on-fee is hard to comprehend for many.

What Laurie Canter said about LIV Golf after leaving the Tour in 2024

Canter played two full seasons on LIV in 2022 and 2023, before playing only two events in 2024.

He then returned to the DP World Tour immediately, and spoke about his experience with LIV Golf later that year.

He said: “The one thing I would say is having done both, I think there’s room for both.

“I like both formats. Can I say that? Are you allowed to say that these days, like you actually like both things? I really do. I’m firmly on the middle of the fence because I actually like both.“

Hopefully one day the two Tours are able to reach an agreement so that not only will they be able to co-exist alongside one another but so that players will be able to pick and choose which events they play in.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem like it is anywhere close to happening anytime soon.