Phil Mickelson, 10 other LIV golfers file antitrust lawsuit against PGA Tour

By Homero De la Fuente and Jacob Lev, CNN

Updated 0319 GMT (1119 HKT) August 4, 2022

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(CNN)Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson and 10 other golfers on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series filed an antitrust lawsuit Wednesday to challenge their suspensions by the PGA Tour.

Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones, who are three of the 11 golfers listed on the lawsuit, are seeking a temporary restraining order that would allow them to play in the Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs, which is set to begin next week.«The Tour has ventured to harm the careers and livelihoods of any golfers...who have the temerity to defy the Tour and play in tournaments sponsored by the new entrant. The Tour has done so in an intentional and relentless effort to crush nascent competition before it threatens the Tour's monopoly,» the complaint says. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced in June that golfers playing in the controversial breakaway series were suspended and would no longer be eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournaments. 9/11 survivors' group 'appalled' by 'hurtful' Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour ahead of event staged near Ground ZeroThe lawsuit plaintiffs also include Bryson DeChambeau, Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Ian Poulter, Pat Perez, Jason Kokrak and Peter Uihlein.Read MoreThe lawsuit says the PGA Tour threatened to place lifetime bans on players who participate on the LIV golf series, adding that the «unprecedented suspensions» were placed upon them. The suit also alleges the PGA Tour has threatened sponsors, vendors and agents to coerce players to abandon opportunities to play in LIV Golf events access to their