LIV Golf: U.S. Judge denies golfers bid for PGA Tour postseason

SAN JOSE, Calif. –

A federal choose in California dominated Tuesday that three golfers who joined Saudi-backed LIV Golf will be unable to compete within the PGA Tour’s postseason.

U.S. District Courtroom Choose Beth Labson Freeman made her determination in San Jose after attorneys for the perimeters every spoke for about an hour. Freeman mentioned she did not think about the golfers confronted irreparable hurt due to the massive cash they have been assured by becoming a member of LIV, a key difficulty within the case.

“There merely isn’t any irreparable hurt on this case,” PGA Tour legal professional Elliot Peters mentioned.

The three suspended golfers have been searching for a short lived restraining order, which Freeman denied. Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford claimed they need to be capable to play the place they need to, every saying in letters final month to the PGA Tour, “I’m a free agent and unbiased contractor.” They’re amongst 10 gamers who filed an antitrust lawsuit in opposition to the PGA Tour final week – together with Phil Mickelson.

Robert Walters, an antitrust litigator representing the golfers, famous this could be their alternative on a giant playoff stage, “successfully the Tremendous Bowl of golf” due to its “vital revenue alternatives.” Freeman responded that the LIV Tour earnings potential was additionally nice and requested whether or not gamers might need been in a position to wait till the conclusion of the PGA Tour season to depart for the brand new tour.

Walters argued there have been solely 48 spots and they’d have crammed up in keeping with LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, to which Freeman mentioned she agreed with that stance however that the golfers stood to realize way more financially becoming a member of LIV than the cash they may have earned on the PGA Tour.

“That is an awfully engaging monetary alternative however it’s far more than that,” Walters mentioned, saying the hurt performed is that “gamers lose intangible advantages” equivalent to {qualifications} for the main tournaments in addition to different marquee invitationals.

“That is the holy grail as a result of all people needs to compete in and prevail in main championships, however it’s not simply the majors,” Walters mentioned. He famous that the PGA Tour inferred these golfers would put a “taint” or “stench” on the tour’s picture by taking part in, even perhaps carrying LIV Tour gear in PGA Tour tournaments.

“We’re disenchanted that Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones will not be allowed to play golf. Nobody beneficial properties by banning golfers from taking part in,” LIV Golf mentioned in an announcement.

The primary of three FedEx Cup playoff occasions start Thursday. Two tournaments provide $15 million prize funds, and the participant who wins the FedEx Cup at East Lake in Atlanta will get $18 million – thus the urgency for Freeman to rule. This case might go to trial subsequent 12 months, with the opportunity of an injunction listening to in late September or early October, in keeping with Peters.

Peters mentioned lifting the suspensions of the golfers and permitting them to play would “change the established order” for the PGA Tour and “give them a wonderful platform” to advertise the LIV tour whereas competing in a PGA occasion.

“I feel it is an enormous downside,” he mentioned. “… The Commissioner wants the flexibility to guard the Tour. It is a very dire scenario for the Tour.”

Gooch (No. 20), Jones (No. 65) and Swafford (No. 67) are amongst 9 gamers who’ve joined LIV Golf and completed the common season among the many prime 125 within the FedEx Cup standings. The opposite six who joined LIV Golf aren’t asking to play within the tour’s postseason.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan issued a memo to members that included: “With right now’s information, our gamers, followers and companions can now concentrate on what actually issues over the subsequent three weeks: the very best gamers on the earth competing within the FedEx Cup Playoffs, capping off an extremely compelling season with the crowning of the FedEx Cup champion on the Tour Championship.”