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LIV golfers face two-year wait for lawsuit to be heard

A trial date of 8 January 2024 has been set for antitrust lawsuit Mickelson v the PGA.

Several golfers are challenging their suspensions from the PGA Tour for playing in the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series without consent.

The original plaintiffs included Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones of Australia, Jason Kokrak, Pat Perez, Peter Uihlein, England's Ian Poulter, and Mexico's Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz.

However, two of the LIV players are dropping the case – including Carlos Ortiz.

Ortiz's manager said that his client "does not want to be involved in any legal battles", and lawyers said that only nine players would provide discovery material in the case.

Earlier this month, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones and Talor Gooch lost out in efforts to secure temporary restraining orders against their bans.

Can't compete

US district judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled to uphold their bans that mean they cannot compete in the FedEx Cup play-offs.

The trio had all earned enough points to qualify for the top 125 in the standings before they were suspended.

A court in San Jose, California, last week ruled for the PGA, refusing the golfers' claim of "irreparable" financial harm, given the large sums they accepted from LIV.