Abraham Ancer is not done playing yet. He believes his best golf is still ahead of him. This is not a retirement; it is a reset. The Mexican player underwent surgery after years of severe pain and now plans to play the DP World Tour next year before eyeing a PGA Tour return in 2028.
Autumn offers the perfect window for a golfer to find their game again. The dry, firm summer fairways that punish short hitters have softened. Greens are no longer running at lightning speeds, which helps players who miss the mark by a few inches. Ancer knows that timing and precision matter more than raw power right now. The conditions in October allow a player to attack the pin without fear of the ball rolling off the green.
The Back Pain Reality
Ancer has been struggling for a long time. The World No. 219 revealed he played through severe back pain for several years while trying to manage the issue. He said in a statement on Instagram, “For the last few years, I’ve been playing through back pain and trying to find ways to manage it, hoping I could keep playing and make it work.” He delayed surgery as long as possible with help from his physical therapist and team. He knew deep down it was not sustainable for the long term.
The decision to leave LIV Golf came after his contract expired following the 2026 season. Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter reported that Ancer will not be renewing. This move adds to a wave of players walking away from the breakaway league. LIV history’s largest deal was signed by Jon Rahm, who has now severed ties. The league filed for bankruptcy in September and is now trying to restructure under new investors.
Why The Fall Season Wins
Many golfers think the season ends when the leaves turn brown. That is a mistake. The cooler air and softer turf make scoring easier for almost everyone. A low single-figure handicapper can see their accuracy improve because the ball stops quickly on the greens. Putting also gets easier when the grass grows a bit more and speeds slow down. A miss leaves a short tap-in instead of a long lag putt.
Ancer is betting on this timing. He stated, “I’m going to do everything I can to come back stronger and healthier. I believe my best golf is yet to come.” The breakaway league he left is facing huge uncertainty. New financing from BC Partners Capital is only $300 million. The league needs 70 players for the 2027 season, but many top names are gone.
The Road Ahead
Next year, Ancer intends to compete on the DP World Tour. He is not rushing back to the PGA Tour immediately. He wants to be fully healed before a potential 2028 season. The fall is the best time to test a new swing or a rebuilt body. The daylight hours are shorter, but the temperature is mild enough to swing freely without heavy layers. A lightweight jumper works just fine.
The golf world watches to see if Ancer can return to the winners circle. In 2021, he claimed victory at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational on the PGA Tour. During his time with LIV, he captured an individual title at the 2024 event held in Hong Kong.
