SAN JOSE, Calif. — A federal judge in California has ruled that three golfers who joined LIV Golf, sponsored by Saudi Arabia, will not be able to compete in the PGA Tour postseason.
Judge Beth Labson Freeman made her decision Tuesday afternoon in San Jose after attorneys for the parties spoke for about an hour.
The golfers were seeking a temporary restraining order, which Freeman denied. Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford said they should be able to play wherever they want, each saying in letters to the PGA Tour last month: “I am a free agent and an independent contractor.” They are among 10 players, including Phil Mickelson, who filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour last week.
The first of three FedEx Cup playoff events kicks off Thursday in Memphis, Tennessee, when players compete for the $18 million jackpot.