Axed-LIV golfer Laurie Canter makes big claim about the PGA Tour-LIV Golf relationship

Laurie Canter remains positive about the PGA Tour-LIV Golf deal. The Englishman, currently teeing up at DP World Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, opined that the relationship between the tours has “softened.” However, he went on to add that ‘most players’ are ‘sick’ of the professional game’s state.

Canter, who joined back on the European Tour this year after a stint on LIV Golf, admitted he is happy with his position. The 35-year-old went on to add that many other players had good ‘perspectives’ about the current landscape of the game. He addressed the change from two major pro-golf leagues to three with the introduction of the Saudi-backed series and dubbed it a “great time to be a pro.”

Despite backing the current state of golf, the former PGA Tour aspirant called for a resolution between the circuits.

Speaking after he shot -8 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Laurie Canter told Sky Sports’ Sarah Stirk, as quoted by Golf Monthly:

“I think most players are either sick of the situation or sick of talking about it and would like a resolution. I actually think from a lot of players’ perspectives the currently landscape isn’t necessarily bad…

"We’re playing for a lot of money and there are three really viable tours that have great tournaments. From that perspective it’s a great time to be a pro, but it’s definitely got to be the best resolution that everyone has a clear pathway to the top and we know what that is.”

Canter’s comments come amid reports of improved talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) over a proposed merger deal. It is pertinent to note that the said deal was first announced in 2023. However, it is yet to near completion and several players have complained of being kept in the dark about its details.

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Laurie Canter says the PGA Tour-LIV Golf relations have ‘softened’

Laurie Canter also noted that he remains hopeful the tours will soon begin working together. The golfer, who earned his maiden DP World Tour victory at the European Open in June this year, said he feels like “things have softened” between the two tours. However, he admitted to having no solid update on the matter.

Laurie Canter added:

“I wouldn’t be able to have any update, I’d be completely guessing at how close we are. I read the same reports you did. It definitely feels like things have softened. I was around in the middle of 2022 and at that time playing on the DP World Tour it did not feel like it does this week.

"I’m here speaking to you now. That wouldn’t have happened in the middle of 2022. I think that everyone is beginning to talk and actively work to make whatever event better within golf.”

For the unversed, Laurie Canter is currently gunning for a spot on the PGA Tour next season. The Englishman sits 26th in the Race to Dubai standings. He is within reach of the DP World Tour’s ‘10 Cards Initiative,’ enabling the circuit’s top golfers to play on the American circuit.

However, Canter remains banned from the PGA Tour due to his association with LIV Golf. It is pertinent to note that the European Open winner was one of the first to join the controversial LIV Golf series when he jumped ships in 2022. However, the Cleeks GC player lost his roster spot on the Saudi-backed circuit in 2023 and has since returned to the DP World Tour.

He has since dubbed PGA’s decision to keep him ineligible to compete in the tour ‘absurd.’