Laurie Canter makes a bold switch to Majesticks GC for the 2026 LIV Golf season, turning down a coveted Tour card to rejoin LIV Golf.
Laurie Canter has snubbed the PGA Tour to re-sign with the LIV Golf League, joining Majesticks GC ahead of the 2026 season.
The Englishman earned dual membership to the PGA Tour after finishing 7th in the Race to Dubai standings, but has chosen instead to return to the tour where he spent two seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Canter joins compatriots Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, along with American Sam Horsfield, taking the spot of 2013 Open champion Henrik Stenson.
Reflecting on his decision to re-sign, the world number 60 said:
“Joining Majesticks GC is an incredible opportunity to be part of a team that has helped shape LIV Golf from day one.”
“The league’s growth has been remarkable and my experience in the league has led me to become a more complete player and a multiple winner on the DP World Tour. To return to the league with Majesticks GC is a huge honour, and they bring a standard of excellence, ambition, and identity that really resonates with me.”
Gaining a PGA Tour card is the crowning moment for many professional golfers who manage it, and seldom would you see a golfer turn one down.
So, is the PGA Tour losing its allure, and why has Canter joined the likes of Tom McKibbin and Adrian Meronk in snubbing a tour card for the Saudi PIF-backed circuit?
Why re-sign with LIV?
Canter has banished some skeletons by re-joining a roster on LIV, rectifying the manner in which he failed to seal his spot for the 2024 season.
The 36-year-old lost a play-off during a qualifying event in Abu Dhabi, after missing a five-foot putt to seal the contest, before topping it into the water on the second play-off hole.
Then CEO of LIV Golf, Greg Norman, had even high-fived Canter after his approach found the green on the first play-off hole, while his opponents were scrambling from the trees.
So, to earn his spot back on a team is a full-circle moment for the Bath born golfer.
Canter got a taste this year for playing in America, featuring in all the majors and becoming the first former LIV player to compete at the Players Championship. He made the cut in just one of these events finishing T55 at the US Open.
In joining LIV he is significantly reducing his chances of qualifying for these events, but this may not be the case long term, as LIV have announced they will be moving to the traditional 72-hole format for tournaments, which is assumed to be an attempt to align with the criteria required for Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR).
While there is no guaranteeing the OWGR board will grant their wishes anytime soon, the traditional format, along with the introduction of relegations and promotions last season, are strides towards being complicit and introducing meritocracy.
It will also help LIV to attract players like Canter and retain some of their big names too, who wish to compete in these major events going forward.
The financial incentives cannot be disregarded when it comes to joining LIV, with signing bonuses, guaranteed contracts and no cuts in tournaments all very tempting perks. Moreover, the relegation only threatens a small portion of players on tour, and Canter would expect to be comfortably above the drop zone given his form.
He is therefore joining a tour with considerable financial benefits, greater stability regarding his playing future and a circuit he is familiar with. With the possible cherry of OWGR points in the future. The key is long-term.
What can the Majesticks expect?
During his last two seasons on the DP World Tour, Canter has two wins, coming in the European Championship in June 2024 and at the Bahrain Championship earlier this year.
He ended the season in form with a T2 finish at the Genesis Open, a T23 in Abu Dhabi and a T3 finish behind Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick at the season finale DP World Tour Championship.
Majesticks team principals James Dunkley and Oliver Banks welcomed the signing, praising Canter’s abilities and his fit with Majesticks GC’s long-term plans.
Dunkley said: “Laurie is an extremely strong competitor who elevates everyone around him.
“His dedication to preparation, his professionalism, and the consistency he’s shown at the highest levels make him a perfect match for what we’re building. We’ve been a huge admirers of Laurie for a long time, and the timing for 2026 couldn’t be better.”
Banks added: “Beyond his talent, Laurie brings a mindset and personality that align with our long-term vision for the Majesticks.
“He connects with fans, brings humility and hunger, and he represents the modern direction of our team.”
The signing of Canter is much needed for the Majesticks, who have struggled since the formation of LIV, finishing second from last in this season’s standings, losing their captain, Stenson, to relegation and nearly fan favourite Poulter to the same fate.
They are gaining a golfer who is excellent tee to green, and is carrying form into the new season. Placing 14th on the DP World Tour for greens in regulation in 2025, and gaining strokes off the tee in all but one start on tour this year.
His short-game however was at the lower end of the spectrum, losing strokes to the field in putting (-0.7) and around the greens (-1.3).
The Majesticks will be in action on February 6th at the Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, for the opening event of the LIV Golf calendar, and Canter will need every ounce of power off the tee for the 7434-yard course.
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