PGA Tour's Jay Monahan vows to 'vigorously' defend against antitrust lawsuit: 'This is your Tour'

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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan fired back at the antitrust lawsuit filed by eleven of its former members, calling it an attempt to "freeride" on the "benefits and efforts" of it the Tour’s current members. 

In an open letter addressing the Tour, Monahan vowed to "vigorously" fight against the lawsuit filed by Phil Mickelson and 10 other LIV golfers who claim the PGA Tour’s indefinite suspensions were aimed at hurting their careers.

Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, speaks at a press conference during practice for THE PLAYERS Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 8, 2022, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

The lawsuit was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. 

PHIL MICKELSON, OTHER LIV GOLFERS FILE ANTITRUST LAWSUIT AGAINST PGA TOUR: REPORT

"We have been preparing to protect our membership and contest this latest attempt to disrupt our Tour, and you should be confident in the legal merits of our position," Monahan said in the letter. "Fundamentally, these suspended players – who are now Saudi Golf League – have walked away from the Tour and now want back in. With the Saudi Golf League on Hiatus, they’re trying to use lawyers to force their way into competition alongside our members in good standing." 

A general view of Trump National Golf Club during a practice round prior to the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 26, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey.  (Photo by Mike Stobe/LIV Golf/via Getty Images)

In addition to the complaint, three other golfers — Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones — have all filed for a