• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Law

Federal Judge Denies Injunction Sought by 3 LIV Golf Participants

  • Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones looked to get their PGA Tour suspensions lifted.
  • Hearing in San Jose was the first since LIV Golf sued the PGA Tour last week.
LIV PGA Court
Paul Childs/Reuters via USA TODAY Sports

U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman denied a temporary restraining order that would have allowed three LIV Golf competitors to play in the PGA Tour’s FedEX Cup Playoffs this week. 

After about two hours of oral arguments, Freeman ruled that LIV Golf’s legal team failed to show that Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, and Matt Jones would suffer “irreparable” harm financially by missing out on the postseason. 

“The players [knew] what they were leaving behind and the amount of money they’d need to be compensated [by defecting to LIV Golf],”  Freeman said in her ruling. “Those losses were known to the players at the time [they left the PGA Tour].

“The evidence shows without a doubt they will be earning more than they would have been paid [on the PGA Tour].”

The hearing in a federal courtroom in San Jose didn’t deal with the merits of the antitrust lawsuit filed last week on behalf of Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and nine other LIV competitors against the PGA Tour. The first hearing in that case won’t likely occur until next year. 

The lawsuit alleged that the suspensions of players are part of the PGA Tour’s “carefully orchestrated plan to defeat” LIV Golf. 

“We’re disappointed that Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones won’t be allowed to play golf,” LIV Golf said in a statement after Freeman’s decision. “No one gains by banning golfers from playing.”

To secure the injunction, the three golfers had to show irreparable harm — Freeman didn’t seem to be buying any kind of monetary harm since LIV Golf has given each millions just to sign with the Saudi-backed tour. 

“They made a business decision,” PGA Tour attorney Elliot Peters said in court. “They have made, over the last two months, more money they have made on the PGA Tour [overall].”

LIV lawyer Robert Walters argued that the three golfers’ earning potential — including endorsement money — would be forever impacted if the PGA Tour’s suspension is not lifted before the FedEX Cup Playoffs begin in Memphis on Thursday. 

Walters equated the FedEX Cup Playoffs to the “Super Bowl” and “Word Series” of golf. He said that the players would have played in the season-ending, three-round playoff minus LIV Golf branding on the course.

Peters countered that granting a restraining order would be akin to giving the golfers a “get out of jail free card.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

PGA Tour Slashes FedEx Cup Winner Pay From $25M to $10M

The FedExCup is reworking how it distributes its bonus money.
Nov 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) celebrates a shot in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Malik Beasley’s Messy Offseason Includes $2.25M Suit From Ex-Agency

The former Pistons player is not having a good summer.

LIV Golf CEO Pushes Back On PGA Tour Merger

Scott O’Neil said there could be new opportunities for the Tour’s players.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium
June 24, 2025

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
June 24, 2025

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.
Jun 8, 2025; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) celebrates with his team, holding up three fingers, one for each of his victories at Michigan International Speedway, after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400.
June 18, 2025

Judge Urges Michael Jordan, Co-Plaintiffs to Settle With NASCAR

Jordan’s racing team filed a co-suit in October alleging antitrust practices.