From LIV to TPC Sawgrass: Laurie Canter Makes Historic Players Championship Debut
Former LIV Golf player Laurie Canter made history as the first LIV member to qualify for The Players Championship through his rise into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking. The 35-year-old Englishman earned his spot after winning the European Open and Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour.
Canter joined LIV Golf in its inaugural season, playing for the Cleeks team before losing his spot. He later served as an alternate in 2023 and briefly as a wild card in 2024. After departing LIV, he successfully returned to the DP World Tour, where his victories helped secure his Players Championship berth.
Despite his unique journey, Canter maintains he's not a trailblazer in golf's ongoing civil war. He acknowledges joining LIV for financial stability and harbors no ill feelings toward the circuit. His eligibility for The Players stems from never having been a PGA Tour member, allowing him to avoid the tour's suspension policies for LIV players.
While not currently a PGA Tour member, Canter expressed interest in potentially joining the tour, citing the appeal of Signature Events and majors. He remains grateful for his opportunities and diplomatic about the ongoing tensions between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, choosing to focus on his own path forward in professional golf.
The historic appearance comes as negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund face challenges, though Canter remains focused on his play rather than industry politics.