LIV golfers didn't show they were harmed by PGA Tour

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The federal judge who denied temporary restraining orders to three LIV Golf players who wanted to come back to the PGA Tour to compete in the FedEx Cup playoffs said they didn't show that they had been harmed.

In her ruling that was released on Thursday, the United States District Court Judge said that. The PGA Tour could ban Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford from the playoffs if they were suspended for appearing in golf tournaments without conflicting event releases.

"Based on this evidence, no one has shown that they have been harmed, let alone irreparably," she wrote. The players' calculation of what they would be leaving behind and the amount of money they would need to compensate for those losses were the basis of the negotiations between the parties.

The TRO Plaintiffs have signed contracts that reward them for their talent and compensate for lost opportunities. The evidence shows that they will be earning more money with LIV Golf than they could reasonably have expected.

Lawyers for the three players argued that prohibiting them from competing in the FedEx Cup playoffs would hurt their chances of earning official world golf ranking points. The lawyer for the players referred to the playoffs as the Super Bowl of golf. Not appearing in the playoffs would cost his clients income-earning opportunities and they would suffer losses to their reputation.

The argument was disagreeable as well.

The TRO Plaintiffs' evidence that LIV Golf offers a refreshing new 'EXTREMELY fan-friendly' business model that will lead to an improved broadcast output and entertainment experience is undermined by thePlaintiffs' contention that they will irreparably lose future sponsorship opportunities and career status. If LIV Golf is elite golf's future, what do TROPlaintiffs care about?

The lawsuit was filed by Gooch, Jones, Swafford and eight other players against the tour. The trio requested relief in order to participate in the FedEx Cup playoffs. The antitrust claims of the players will be considered by a jury.

The lawyers for the PGA Tour argued during the hearing that LIV Golf's early success has lured past majors winners to join it with signing bonuses worth as much as $200 million.

Significant antitrust issues that are facially appealing were acknowledged by the court. Preliminary evidence and argument could expose fundamental flaws in the claims of the people. The best way to resolve these issues is on a better record.

Billy said he was surprised that some people thought they could return to the Tour.

Some of the guys have been told by me that they're going to be back out on the tour. Some of them have told me. I will see you again, but you will not. A few of them are pretty much in the dark about what's going on.