Report: LIV Golf player's contract demand before signing

Laurie Canter was keen to avoid a repeat of a messy situation before joining LIV Golf, according to a report. 

The 36-year-old Englishman was the second addition to the PIF-backed breakaway this winter, linking up with Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield on the re-branded Majesticks quartet. 

Canter finished seventh in the Race to Dubai rankings on the DP World Tour last season and was expected to take up duel membership with the PGA Tour. 

But he revealed he was simply given an offer that was too good to turn down and, for now, will play on the DP World Tour and LIV Golf League. 

His decision to re-join LIV meant was the best news compatriot Daniel Brown could've hoped for. 

Brown had an impressive season on the DP World Tour but his T45 finish at the season-ending finale meant he was the bubble boy and missed out on PGA Tour card by one spot. 

Canter's move to LIV meant he was bumped up, but he needed the move to happen before 31 December 2025 per the Tour's regulations. 

Brown told bunkered that Canter called him to tell him he was joining LIV and that he had given the league a deadline. 

"It was great, it was great of him to ring me and just give me a heads up," he said. 

"He said he’d given LIV the deadline of when I was eligible to have a PGA Tour card. 

"I've been good pals with Laurie for a couple of years, so that was obviously obviously nice of him.

"I think on his side, he was trying to hurry it so I suppose one of his mates could have a PGA Tour card. 

"Yeah, that was good. He's a great guy, Laurie and I hope he does really well on LIV."

Brown joked that when he sees Canter next he will give him "a big cuddle". 

The gesture meant there was not a repeat of the situation between Jordan Smith and Tom McKibbin. 

McKibbin, who was mentored by Rory McIlroy, joined LIV Golf last January. 

When he joined, it was too late for Smith to grab the last card. 

Fortunately for Smith, he managed to get the job done last season and will play on the PGA Tour this year. 

When Smith appeared on the Sliced podcast last month, he admitted he was a tad frustrated with McKibbin. 

But he acknowledged professional golfers simply have to look after themselves. 

"It was annoying because obviously we were so, so close to getting one of those cards," he said.  

"I mean, it came down to literally one shot on 18 on the Sunday in Dubai. 

"So, yeah, once I heard that news, I was a bit, I was a bit frustrated.

"I mean, it would have been nice if it was [confirmed] a little bit earlier. 

"So then obviously he was giving up his pair of rights and one of us could, well, I could have taken it. 

"But at the same time, we're all sort of looking out for ourselves.

"So I can see why he took the offer and did it. But yeah, a little bit annoying. He could have done it a bit earlier.

"But I mean, I've got no anger or hate towards him. So, yeah, it is what it is and everything happens for a reason. 

"So that was meant to happen for me to get a PGA Tour card this year.

"I think with a few things going on behind the scenes, it wasn't quite a good time for me to get a PGA Tour card. 

"Whereas this year, it's definitely the right time."

Anthony Kim earns promotion back to LIV Golf

Anthony Kim's comeback will continue with another season at LIV Golf. 

The 40-year-old American joined LIV in 2024 after a 12-year hiatus from the sport. 

He struggled considerably, failing to secure a single point across two seasons in which he finished in the drop zone. 

Kim was expected to play on the Asian Tour this season but now doesn't have to play on LIV's feeder tour after securing a return to LIV at their Promotions event last week. 

The former US Ryder Cup star secured one of three wildcard spots. 

And he sent a direct message to his critics after the final putt rolled in. 

Meet the new recruits here. 

LIV Golf boss makes bold claim 

During the Promotions broadcast, LIV Golf's chief executive Scott O'Neil claimed the league was close to finding a solution with the DP World Tour over the issue of player fines. 

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton are among those to have been fined heavily for competing in LIV events that conflict with the DP World Tour's schedule. 

The pair's future involvement in the Ryder Cup are at stake. 

But O'Neil believes a solution should be announced before the end of the month. 

The American also said he expected LIV to achieve OWGR status too and believes they are closing in on two high-profile player signings.