SAN JOSE, Calif. – Saudi-backed golf tour LIV has joined the antitrust lawsuit against the PGA, while four golfers have asked to have their names removed.
That leaves just seven golfers, including Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau, as well as LIV Golf among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The four golfers who have their names removed are Carlos Ortiz, Abraham Ancer, Pat Perez and Jason Kokrak.
The amended lawsuit was filed Friday afternoon in a Northern California district court. She claims the PGA Tour used its monopoly to crush competition and unjustly suspended golfers.
LIV Golf has paid out phenomenal sums to attract golfers up to more than US$150 million reportedly, in addition to offering $25 million in prize money for each event. LIV Golf has presented three events so far. The fourth is scheduled for next weekend in suburban Boston.
The PGA Tour has taken advantage of its right that its members must request an exemption to play outside the United States in the event of a scheduling conflict.
Golfers who played in a LIV Golf event without obtaining a bye were suspended, no bye was given. Most suspensions go until March 2024.
