US Court Rules LIV Players Cannot Participate in PGA Playoffs

"LIV Transfer Compensation Is Sufficient... No Irreparable Damage"

PGA Tour representatives are leaving the courtroom after the court's decision. San Jose, USA - Photo by AP

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] A court ruling has determined that players who transferred to the LIV Golf Invitational Series and were suspended from participating by the PGA Tour cannot compete in the PGA Tour playoffs.

According to local media including The New York Times, U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman dismissed on the 10th (Korean time) a preliminary injunction request filed by three players?Taylor Gooch and Hudson Swafford (both from the U.S.), and Matt Jones (Australia)?seeking to halt the PGA Tour's sanctions. Judge Freeman stated, “The players have already received substantial contract bonuses and earned $25 million in tournament income after transferring to LIV Golf, which constitutes sufficient financial compensation,” and added, “They also failed to prove that being banned from the PGA Tour playoffs would cause irreparable harm.”

Earlier, the three players who were notified by the PGA Tour that they could not participate in the playoffs filed a preliminary injunction on the 3rd, arguing that “the decision to prohibit participation despite having qualified for the PGA Tour playoffs is unfair.” The first round of the PGA Tour playoffs, starting on the 12th, allows entry for those ranked within the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings. Gooch, Jones, and Swafford were ranked 20th, 65th, and 67th, respectively.

The PGA Tour argued, “The three players transferred to LIV Golf knowing they would be ineligible for the playoffs,” and “Their participation in the playoffs would harm other PGA-affiliated players who follow the rules.” Ultimately, the court sided with the PGA Tour. Meanwhile, this court decision is separate from the antitrust lawsuit filed by 11 LIV Golf transfer players, including Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau (both from the U.S.), against the PGA Tour in the Northern District Court of California.