Three LIV Golf rebels were asked why did they "care about the dust-collecting trophies of a bygone era?" as their legal bid to play in the FedEX Cup playoffs was dismissed by a judge.
Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones took action over the PGA Tour's decision to ban them from competing in the St Jude Championship, the first of three events to crown the 2021/22 season champion. The trio, along with a host of others, are also suspended from other PGA tournaments over their decision to sign for Greg Norman's Saudi-backed venture.
And on Tuesday, in a damning legal verdict, Judge Beth Labson Freeman said the player had failed to prove "they have been harmed – let alone irreparably" as she emphatically dismissed their case. She also questioned why they would be interested in events outside the LIV tour if it was "elite golf's future."
"Based on this evidence, Plaintiffs have not even shown that they have been harmed — let alone irreparably," Freeman wrote. "It is clear that the LIV Golf contracts negotiated by the Plaintiffs and consummated between the parties were based on the players' calculation of what they would be leaving behind and the amount of money they would need to compensate for those losses.
"Plaintiffs have signed contracts that richly reward them for their talent and compensate for lost opportunity through TOUR play. In fact, the evidence shows almost without a doubt that they will be earning significantly more money with LIV Golf than they could reasonably have expected to make through TOUR play over the same time period."
Much has been made of the extortionate sums on offer to LIV players. Henrik Stenson, who was sensationally stripped of the Ryder Cup captaincy over his decision to switch allegiances, received around £3.3 million for winning the latest rebel event in Bedminster.
By comparison, Scottie Scheffler received £2.3 million for wining the US Masters this year. Indeed, Judge Freeman shut down the players' legal argument that not appearing in the play-offs would cause them to financial damage.
She continues: "Plaintiffs' contention that they will irreparably lose future sponsorship opportunities and career status is undermined by 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' compared to the staid old golf world built by PGA TOUR.
She then took aim at the apparent hypocrisy of the trio, adding: "If LIV Golf is elite golf's future, what do Plaintiffs care about the dust-collecting trophies of a bygone era?"
Judge Freeman also told the trio they were fully aware of the consequences of joining LIV Golf: "TRO Plaintiffs each knew, going into negotiations with LIV Golf, that they were virtually certain to be cut off from TOUR play," she said.
The verdict will be viewed as a small win for the PGA Tour as it prepares to deal with the seismic blow of Open champion Cameron Smith defecting. During the opening round at TPC Southwind, S cheffler appeared to show his disdain towards the Australian by deliberately walking across his line on one of the greens.
LIV Golf themselves reacted to the verdict with a released statement, saying: “We’re disappointed that Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones won’t be allowed to play golf. No one gains by banning golfers from playing.”
