Laurie Canter has made a surprising decision! The Englishman has rejected a PGA Tour spot earned through the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai and will be returning to LIV Golf for the 2026 season.
Find out why Canter chose to rejoin Majesticks GC and what he had to say about LIV Golf’s growth and his experience. We’ll also cover his recent DP World Tour victories and his historic appearance at The Players Championship as a former LIV golfer.
Is this a sign of things to come for other golfers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Picture this, a seasoned golfer standing at a crossroads between two of the biggest leagues in the sport, choosing hard over prestige. And that’s exactly what happened when England’s Lorie Caner shocked the golf world by rejecting a coveted spot on the PGA Tour to dive back into LIIV Golf for the 2026 season. It’s a decision that’s got fans buzzing. But stick around because there’s more to unpack that might just change how you view the future of professional golf. The 36-year-old Caner had a stellar run on the DP World Tour, clinching seventh place overall, which automatically qualified him for a spot on next year’s PGA Tour through the prestigious race to Dubai rankings. This is basically the golf equivalent of a golden ticket. Think of it as earning an all access pass to the elite circuit where the biggest tournaments and the highest purses await. But instead of cashing in on that opportunity, Caner made a surprising pivot, opting to return to the Saudi Arabia funded LIV Golf League. He first joined LIV from 2022 to 2024, and now he’ll be suiting up once again for the Mage Sticks GC team. In his own words, Caner highlighted just how transformative his time with LV has been. 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. And this return, he called it a huge honor, noting that Mage Stickix’s GC represents a blend of excellence, ambition, and a strong identity that truly clicks with him. For those new to golf’s landscape, this underscores how LV has evolved from a controversial newcomer to a force that nurtures player development and success across different tours. But here’s where it gets controversial. Caner’s choice flies in the face of the ongoing rivalry between the PGA Tour and LAV Golf with the latter backed by Saudi investments that have drawn criticism for ethical concerns like human rights issues in the kingdom. And this is the part most people miss. Despite those debates, Caner credits LV with sharpening his skills, leading to notable wins such as the 2024 European Open and the 2025 Bahrain Championship. Even more impressively, he became the first former LV golfer to compete in a strictly PGA Tour event at this year’s Players Championship, proving that bridges between the leagues might not be as burned as they seem. Is Caner’s loyalty to LIIV a brave stand for player freedom or a mischance at PGA glory? What do you think? Does the allure of LIV’s innovation outweigh the controversies surrounding its funding? Drop your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear your take on whether this decision signals a shift in golf’s power dynamics or just a personal preference. After all, in a sport full of swings and putts, sometimes the real game changer is the path less traveled.
