Rory McIlroy claimed “common sense prevailed” when a California judge refused to allow three banned LIV players tee up in the FedEx Cup playoffs tomorrow.
But the world No.3 warned there is “such a long way to go” in the legal battle between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed breakaway league. “It's like you birdied the first hole, but you've still got 17 holes to go,” said the Ulsterman. “But it was a good day for the Tour and the majority of the membership yesterday."
PGA Tour members have been banned for playing LIV Golf events but Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford sought a temporary restraining order to play in the first post-season event at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. But Judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled the LIV three were "well aware of the consequences" of their actions in competing in LIV events without permission.
She added that the potential loss of income from the FedEx Cup play-offs had been taken into account when the players accepted signing-on bonuses from LIV. The hearing was separate from the broader antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour by 11 players, including Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter.
That will not be held before August 2023 - just before the next Ryder Cup. But this ruling is an early victory for the PGA Tour - and a blow to LIV players who will see their world rankings slide to endanger their places at the Majors next season.
Before teeing up in Memphis today at the start of the $75m playoffs, McIlroy said: “From my vantage point, common sense prevailed and I thought it was the right decision, and now that that has happened, I think it just lets us focus on the important stuff, which is the golf, and we can all move forward and not have that sideshow going on for the next few weeks, which is nice.”
McIlroy will play for the first time since the Open and he admitted the night after losing a four-shot final round lead was “tough”.
Winner Cam Smith has again refused to deny he will join the Saudi breakaway league after a report he has accepted a $100m signing on fee to join after the playoffs at the third LIV event in Boston next month. “I’m here to play the FedExCup Playoffs, mate,” said the Aussie world No.2 “That’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to win the FedExCup Playoffs.”
During the hearing, LIV’s lawyer also confirmed that the signing bonuses paid to some - but not all - players were an advance against future earnings.
Tiger Woods savaged LIV Golf as an exhibition event at the Open. “What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt?’ he said. Papers filed on August 3 in the bigger antitrust lawsuit claimed: “The Tour also got Tiger Woods to do its bidding and publicly criticise golfers— particularly younger golfers—for joining LIV Golf.”
LIV Golf issued a 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.”
