The PGA Tour is taking a swing at the Saudi backers of its upstart rival LIV Golf with a new court petition.
In the complaint, filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the PGA Tour is seeking to compel deposition and documents from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and its Governor Yasir Al Rumayyan, a source told the Washington Examiner.
MICKELSON SAYS LIV GOLF IS ‘WINNING SIDE’ IN BATTLE AGAINST PGA TOUR
LIV Golf and the PGA Tour are embroiled in a contentious court squabble over antitrust issues. LIV Golf has accused the PGA Tour of stifling competition by banning players from its events who played for LIV Golf. The PGA Tour has responded with a countersuit of its own, accusing the nascent golf tournament of engaging in its own anti-competitive practices.
In June, the PGA Tour suspended 17 members who agreed to participate in a LIV Golf event, arguing they breached their contracts. The Justice Department has opened an inquiry into the matter.
Initially, LIV’s lawyers agreed to play ball on discovery, but then they backtracked, arguing the golf tour is not required to comply because the league is not a citizen of the United States, according to the source. The PGA Tour’s recent court petition came in response to that reversal, according to the report.
LIV Golf’s entrance into the U.S. golfing world has sparked controversy. The newcomer has tapped into its vast financial backing from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund to woo prominent golfers such as Phil Mickelson with lucrative contracts.
However, since its inception, LIV Golf has weathered scathing criticism from families of 9/11 victims for its collaboration with Saudi Arabia, which has faced numerous accusations of human rights violations.
Victims’ families have also highlighted the kingdom’s purported ties to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. They blasted LIV Golf for engaging in “sport-washing” and accepting “blood money” from Riyadh.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Many golfers who have been disgruntled with the PGA Tour have found LIV to be a cudgel of sorts. Former President Donald Trump stoked controversy by hosting a LIV event at his resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, over the summer. He is slated to host another at Trump National Doral Miami later this month.
The Washington Examiner reached out to a LIV Golf representative for comment.
