Ex-LIV pro to make unique piece of PGA Tour history

The Florida swing is underway on the PGA Tour and that means its flagship event, the Players Championship, is right around the corner.

TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, also home to the Tour’s headquarters, will stage the iconic event next week and welcome a field of 144 players.

One of those, however, is set to do something no other player has.

Laurie Canter, a 35-year-old Englishman, will make a unique piece of PGA Tour history when he strikes his first tee shot on the opening par-4.

That’s because Canter, who joined LIV Golf in 2022, will become the first player to jump ship to the Saudi-backed upstart and then contest the Players Championship.

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He was suspended and fined by the DP World Tour for making the move before only being retained as a reserve for LIV Golf the following year. He then lost in a play-off at the 2024 Promotions event before being replaced as a wildcard by Anthony Kim.

Now, having paid his DP World Tour fine, served his suspension and racked up two wins along the way, Canter has reached a career-high world ranking of No.43.

And those inside the world’s top 50 after last week’s events, including the Investec South African Championship where Canter lost in a play-off, earn a Players Championship exemption.

So, what has stopped other LIV pros teeing it up at TPC Sawgrass. Well, there is one rule.

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The PGA Tour prohibits any non-members who played any LIV events from competing on the Tour for a year past their last LIV event.

Of course, that isn’t an issue for Canter, as his last LIV appearance came last February, in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, the Team Cup winner is already exempt for this year’s Open at Royal Portrush but can still qualify for the Masters in April.

If Canter remains inside the top 50 by April 6, he’ll earn another trip down Magnolia Lane.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.