Latest LIV Golf signing: I'm doing the opposite of having my cake and eating it

England's Laurie Canter has explained why he decided to give up a PGA Tour card in favour of a return to the PIF-backed LIV Golf League. 

The 36-year-old won duel playing rights on the DP World Tour and the established North American circuit in 2026 owing to his Race to Dubai finish. 

A proud Canter made a dream a reality more than 14 years after turning professional, grinding it out on the mini tours and sharing hotel rooms with other golfers to make ends meet.

In March, he cracked the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career, earning him a start at the coveted Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass and a debut at The Masters. 

Canter was also discussed as a potential addition to the European Ryder Cup squad, but Luke Donald opted to keep the same team together that triumphed in Italy two years ago. 

In 2026, Canter would've been eyeing up more major championship starts and perhaps a maiden PGA Tour victory. 

Canter will still be eligible to qualify for the majors, but his path has undoubtedly become more difficult after his decision to rejoin LIV Golf for the 2026 campaign

He will link up with Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield on the Majesticks quartet, replacing the relegated Henrik Stenson. 

Canter told The Times of London that the offer was too good to turn down but he also claimed that travelling back and forth to the United States wasn't sustainable given he has a young family. 

He recently moved to Dubai with his wife and two children. Next year, LIV will visit the Middle East, Asia, South Africa, Australia, Europe and North America. 

"The offer I had to go was brilliant," Canter told the publication. 

"You're weighing up all these things: where am I going to play my best golf and how do I feel I can do that and be compensated in the best way that I can, but it is also the lifestyle.

"The PGA Tour schedule is still probably the pinnacle of tour golf but, truthfully, I enjoy playing in Europe and I'm still passionate about playing events on the DP World Tour.

"If you're going out to play on the PGA Tour and you can live in America, that's obviously achievable but, at this point, I don't want a life like that. 

"My family is happy and settled where they are. I have two daughters [aged three and one]. Travelling back and forth to America 30 weeks of the year isn't sustainable."

Canter will pay LIV Golf fines

It is understood that from 2026 LIV's financiers will no longer cover the cost of fines accrued by their players. 

Canter made it clear that he is not 'leaving' the DP World Tour and will pay his fines and serve his suspensions in order to remain a member. 

"The tour has to do what's best for itself, but as to whether I'm having my cake and eating it, I feel like I'm doing the opposite," Canter said. 

"I'm not leaving the DP World Tour. I'm playing LIV instead of playing on the PGA Tour.

"I will have to start paying fines myself and I'm not over the moon to drop £1 million to stay a member, but I want to be involved."

How many players have LIV Golf signed for 2026?

Canter was the second new addition of the offseason. 

Last month, three-time DP World Tour winner Victor Perez joined LIV, linking up with Martin Kaymer, Richard Bland and Adrian Meronk on the Cleeks. 

Perez, who was up against it to keep his PGA Tour card, replaced the relegated Frederik Kjettrup. 

Canter, Perez and International Series graduates Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji are the new faces for the 2026 campaign. 

Two more will be confirmed at LIV's "Promotions" event next month in the United States. 

Si Woo Kim quietens rumours

FlushingIt reported last week that two multiple PGA Tour winners were in advanced talks to join LIV Golf. 

The account named Si Woo Kim as the player who was in "late stage negotiations" to join the breakaway. 

There were also rumours surrounding Sungjae Im, but representatives from both players' teams have denied the reports are true. 

Last weekend, Kim committed to the PGA Tour's curtain-raiser in Hawaii. 

Im's management team also confirmed he is going nowhere.