Ex-LIV Golf star faces 'absurd' PGA Tour ban even if he earns historic spot

Former LIV Golf star has branded a potential ban being handed to him by the as 'absurd' - having never held membership with the American-based circuit.

Canter could well become the first player to play on the PGA Tour since the Saudi league's formation two years ago, having performed impressively on the this year. Having returned to the European circuit in 2024, Canter finds himself in with a chance of with two events left to play.

The Englishman currently has 11 players between him and the last PGA Tour card on offer in the Race to Dubai Rankings, but knows two impressive performances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this week could see him play his way in.

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A move to the PGA Tour would be a historic one for Canter, but it does come with some conditions. The former LIV player has been informed that despite never being a member with the game's leading circuit, he will still have to serve a ban before competing due to his previous loyalties.

This would see the Englishman miss the opening run of events on the PGA Tour in 2025, with his ban expiring a year on from his last LIV appearance in February of this year. Unsurprisingly, Canter is not impressed. "I got sent a letter in the middle of the year,” he told

"The PGA Tour clarified the position I was in, which was that I was unable to play for a year from the last LIV event I played in which was Vegas. I replied saying, ‘Thank you for clarifying that. I think your policy is absurd’. And I do think it’s absurd. I’ve never been a member of that tour.

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"How can you ban someone who has never played on your tour? I would understand it if I was a member of their tour but in my context I don’t understand it. I am a golfer so I’m pro opportunity but it’s a bizarre way of sanctioning someone.”

Canter has enjoyed arguably his most succesful season to date, claiming his first ever DP World Tour win at the European Open in June. Ever since his victory, the former Majesticks GC member attention has turned to chasing a spot on the PGA Tour. "That would be awesome, wouldn't it," hat The Open in July.

"To play on the PGA Tour is something I would love to do at some point. Still, we've got such a long way to go. with the second half of the year. A lot of big-point tournaments. I kind of, to be honest, before I won, was just a little bit trying to play as well as I could out of my category, make sure I was all right for next year.

"It's kind of slightly moved the goal posts for me. I've got something to aim for, and that would be great, yeah." Four months on Canter still finds himself well in the mix, with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and season-ending DP World Tour Championship approaching.