English golfer Laurie Canter has made a surprising move, rejecting his PGA Tour card to rejoin LIV Golf! We break down the details of his decision, his history with LIV, and what this means for his career and the future of golf.
Canter earned a PGA Tour card after finishing seventh in the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai, but chose to return to the Saudi-backed league. This means suspension from the PGA Tour and his card going to Daniel Brown.
We also touch on Rory McIlroy’s recent comments about the ‘irrational’ spending of LIV Golf and the potential for unification in the sport.
Lorie Caner sparks debate after rejecting PJ Tour card to rejoin LV Golf. In a bold and controversial move, English golfer Lorie Caner has once again chosen the Saudib backed LIV Golf League over the PGA Tour. This decision marks the second time Caner has aligned himself with LIIV, reigniting conversations about loyalty, ambition, and the ever growing divide in professional golf. After finishing seventh in the DP World Tours race to Dubai, Caner secured one of 10 coveted opportunities to earn a spot on the PGA Tour. Yet rather than claiming that card, he opted to return to LIIV Golf, effectively suspending his eligibility to compete on the US-based tour. His PGA Tour membership was subsequently handed to Daniel Brown. And this is where it gets particularly intriguing. Caner’s choice wasn’t made in a vacuum. It reflects a wider philosophical divide within golf, one that stars like Rory Moy have described as nearly impossible to resolve. A career marked by strategic moves. Caner’s history with LV runs deep. He first joined the startup league in 2022, finishing 28th in the standings during its inaugural season. In 2023, he served as a reserve player, stepping in for injured competitors across 11 events. At the beginning of 2024, he again took on a backup role before being replaced by Anthony Kim. However, Caner bounced back impressively later that year, returning to the DP World Tour and capturing victory at the European Open in Germany, a milestone that made him the first former LV golfer to tee up at the Players Championship in 2025. He also earned an appearance at the Masters, proving that his talent transcends leagues and labels. For the upcoming 2026 LIIV season, Caner will represent the England-based Mage Sticks GC. An iconic team originally founded by veterans Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stinson, and Sam Horsefield. Stinson’s relegation this season opened the door for Caner’s return to the LIV roster. Joining Mage Sticks GC is an incredible opportunity to be part of a team that has defined LIIV golf from its earliest days, Caner said in a statement. The league’s growth has been amazing, and my experience with both tours has made me a more complete player. Coming back with this team feels like coming home to a place that matches my ambition and values. The bigger picture, LV versus PGA. Yet, not everyone is celebrating this reunion. Rory Mroy, one of the most vocal supporters of the traditional tour structure, remains skeptical that golf’s fractured landscape can ever fully heal. Speaking at CNBC’s CEO Council forum, Mroy questioned whether the sport could ever reunite given what he called LIIV’s irrational spending. For golf’s future, unity would be ideal, he explained. But when you’re dealing with people investing billions without visible returns, that goal becomes almost impossible. Mroy pointed out that despite years of massive investment estimated at 5 to6 billion US, LIIV is expected to spend roughly the same amount just to sustain its current operations. With several player contracts expiring soon, the spending may only escalate. I’m far more comfortable where I am with the PGA Tour, Mroy added. But who’s to say what the next few years will bring? A divided future for golf. The rivalry between LIIV and the PGA remains one of the most polarizing topics in modern sports. Some believe LIIV’s disruptive model and financial backing are driving meaningful innovation, while others warned that it’s tearing apart the traditions that built golf’s global legacy. So, here’s the pressing question. Was Lorie Caner’s decision a smart career move or a step into a controversy that could ultimately reshape his legacy? What do you think? Does LIIV represent progress or a fundamental threat to the soul of professional
