In the midst of trying to whittle down my Christmas shopping list last night – a task made all the more difficult by looking exclusively at YouTube as opposed to any actual shops (shocking, I know) – I stumbled across the freshly breaking news that Laurie Canter, the English professional golfer, had turned down his recently acquired PGA Tour card in favour of making a return to LIV golf and the ranks of the Majesticks golf team.
And as soon as I saw that initial pair of headlines outlining Canter’s decision, each of them still so hot off the press that they were practically steaming, I immediately knew what was coming once more media outlets got hold of the story. The dramatic headlines? Inflammatory language like ‘snub’ and ‘reject’ being weaponised in an attempt to drum up some of that much-loved “us versus them” drama that has defined this whole LIV saga? Like Thanos in the MCU, it was inevitable.
Because, of course, they were going to make out like this is a big deal – after all, this is the closest that golf gets to a summer transfer window. But if we’re being perfectly honest with ourselves, the fact that Laurie Canter is going back to LIV as opposed to plying his trade on the PGA Tour next season is meaningless. It doesn’t matter. It will be made out to be something of a slight against the PGA Tour, another “win” that LIV can mark down in their favour. But it is none of those things.
There’s no denying that Laurie Canter is a talented golfer. He’s a two-time winner on the DP World Tour. His seventh-placed finish in this year’s ‘Race to Dubai’ is the very reason why he secured that highly coveted PGA Tour card for 2026. And when you look into his backstory as to how he got into golf and initially funded his first forays into the amateur golfing scene, you can’t help but be impressed.
But, from a business standpoint, will the PGA Tour be devastated that Canter has pinned his colours to the LIV mast? Frankly, no. Because, first and foremost, like all sports that are televised, golf is about entertainment. It’s about ratings. It’s about getting people in through the gates. And how do you do that? Star power. It’s as simple as that. So, if you’re a golf fan in the States who’ll be looking to attend a PGA Tour event next season, would the fact that Laurie Canter might’ve been in the field for a particular event meant that you were more likely to part with your money and buy a ticket? Again, the answer is no.
And don’t get this twisted. This is by no means an attack on Laurie Canter – far from it. As I said, he is a talented golfer. No one’s denying that. He just isn’t one of your top guys; one of those players who make up that exclusive stable of blue-chip personalities that you hinge your flagship events around. He wouldn’t even fall into that bracket of your mid-card talent; those being your players who are decently well-known amongst your casual viewers, and though not yet considered as being a part of that upper echelon of franchise talent, they do possess the potential to move up into those places where top billing awaits.
So, whilst undeniably possessing the ability to go out and earn very good money on the PGA Tour next season – whilst, all the while, potentially raising his own profile in the process – if I’m Laurie Canter, having just turned 36, and I see the opportunity to make, what we can only assume, is going to be a handsome lump sum when I re-sign with LIV? Money that I can earn without hitting a single ball, and without having to put myself through the grind and calculated gamble of what would be playing the PGA Tour next season? Well, I can see why he has made the decision that he has. It makes sense.
Therefore, with Canter having made a decision that he feels is in his best interest, and that decision having no bearing whatsoever on how the PGA Tour season will play out next season or how it will be viewed, the answer to the overarching question as to what this story means is the same thing I thought last night as I returned to trying to find a present for my girlfriend’s mother – and that is that it means nothing. It is simply something that has happened. And the same will be true for the other announcements that will inevitably filter through over the coming weeks as other players sign with LIV ahead of next season.
But unless any of those players happen to be called Rory, Scottie or anybody else from that top table? I’d say we’ll keep the hysterics to a minimum, I think.
Something, unfortunately, that cannot be said for trying to get this Christmas shopping done.
HELP.
