• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Law

Phil Mickelson, 10 other LIV Golf Players Sue PGA Tour

  • Federal lawsuit alleges the PGA Tour “carefully orchestrated plan to defeat” LIV Golf.
  • Complaint also seeks a temporary injunction that would pause suspensions.
Phil-Mickelson-and-Bryson-DeChambeau
Michael Madrid/USA TODAY Sports

Phil Mickelson and 10 other LIV Golf competitors filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour in federal court on Wednesday, a complaint that alleges their suspensions are part of a “carefully orchestrated plan to defeat” the Saudi-backed upstart tour. 

Beyond the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones requested a temporary restraining order that — if granted — would allow them to compete in FedEx Cup Playoffs that begin next weekend in Memphis. 

“The Tour’s unlawful strategy has been both harmful to the players and successful in threatening LIV Golf’s otherwise-promising launch,” William V. Roppolo, one of the players’ attorneys, wrote in the complaint. 

In a letter to players obtained by Front Office Sports, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan wrote to players “should be confident in the legal merits” of the tour’s handling LIV Golf’s challenge.

“Fundamentally, these suspended players – who are now Saudi Golf League employees – have walked away from the TOUR and now want back in,” Monahan wrote. “With the Saudi Golf League on hiatus, they’re trying to use lawyers to force their way into competition alongside our members in good standing.

The Wall Street Journal was the first outlet to report the lawsuit. 

The pressure applied by the PGA Tour resulted in LIV Golf “to cancel its 2022 business plan” to launch a full-fledged league and shift to an invitational series minus a TV deal and with fewer golfers. 

That hasn’t stopped some of the biggest names in golf — including Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Dustin Johnson — from taking hundreds of millions of dollars to play for LIV Golf. 

Outside Mickelson, the co-plaintiffs include Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones, DeChambeau, Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Ian Poulter, Pat Perez, Jason Kokrak, and Peter Uihlein.

The suit has been expected for months, with both sides privately predicting the dispute would end up in the courts.

The attention will turn again to golf’s four major tournaments: The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship. LIV defectors still still in their golf primes like DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson might rue their decision to join the nascent golf tours if they’re banned from the four majors as well as team golf competitions like the Ryder Cup.

According to the lawsuit, the organizing bodies seem to be supporting their longtime friends and allies at the PGA Tour.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.

PGA Tour’s $100M Playoffs Alter Bonus Payout for Tour Championship

The Tour Championship will no longer award $25 million to its winner.

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”

Featured Today

Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
AA Mint Cards
May 18, 2025

Young Collectors Are on a High-Stakes Chase for Ultra-Rare Trading Cards

“They just want that excitement of the chase,” says a 23-year-old collector.
Mar 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detailed view of the basketball sneakers worn by Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.

Skechers Sued Over Allegedly Sketchy Go-Private Deal

The footwear giant agreed to be acquired by 3G Capital for $9.4 billion.
May 28, 2025

Arizona Father-Son Duo Plead Guilty to $280 Million Sportsplex Fraud

Randy Miller and his son Chad conned multiple investment firms. 
Zion Williamson
May 30, 2025

Zion Williamson Accused of Rape and Abuse in Lawsuit

The woman says their relationship began when he was at Duke in 2018.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Vince McMahon
May 28, 2025

Former WWE Exec Flips on Vince McMahon in Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Janel Grant and John Laurinaitis announced their settlement Wednesday.
Darin Ruf
May 23, 2025

Darin Ruf Sues Reds Over Career-Ending Knee Injury

Ruf played for five teams across nine major league seasons, hitting .239.
Indiana basketball's Adidas team shoe - January 5, 2025
May 22, 2025

Steve Madden Sues Adidas to Protect Its Own Use of Stripes

Adidas previously sued Steve Madden over trademark issues.
Tennis
May 21, 2025

ATP, WTA Ask Judge to Dismiss ‘Tennis Cartel’ Lawsuit 

The motions were filed late Tuesday and early Wednesday.