By Joel Beall
The PGA Tour has filed a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and its governor, Yasir AlRumayyan, in the latest turn in its legal battle with LIV Golf.
The tour’s lawsuit was filed under seal this week in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York as part of the ongoing federal lawsuit between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
Al-Rumayyan is the chairman of Golf Saudi, and the existence of LIV Golf is often attributed to Al-Rumayyan’s passion for the sport. He is also the chairman of the Premier League’s Newcastle United and the oil company Saudi Aramco. The PIF, which financially backs LIV Golf, is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia.
Eleven LIV Golf members originally filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour on August 3, challenging their suspensions for moving to the new circuit. Only three of the players — Bryson DeChambeau, Matt Jones, and Peter Uihlein — remain, although LIV Golf has been added to the case. On September 29, the PGA Tour countersued, accusing LIV Golf of “tortious inducement of numerous, repeated breaches of contract” by former PGA Tour members, including DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson.
A tentative date for summary judgment in the antitrust case is set for July 23, 2023. If the trial goes forward, expected start date is January 8, 2024.
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