This is a victory for sheer common sense over LIV rebels
McILROY SUPPORTS US JUDGE’S DECISION TO UPHOLD PGA TOUR BAN ON SAUDI-BACKED TRIO
RORY McILROY has applauded the ‘common sense’ approach of a federal judge after she rubberstamped a PGA Tour ban on three LIV rebels.
And the Northern Irishman says her decision has avoided what would have been ‘a sideshow’ at this week’s FedEx Cup play-offs had Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones been granted their wish to play while still earning money in the Saudi-backed breakaway series.
The trio were seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) to compete in Memphis, but Judge Beth Labson Freeman said they were ‘well aware of the consequences’ of their actions in competing in LIV events without permission and had not ‘made their case’ against being suspended by the PGA Tour as a result.
They have not been added to the field for the FedEx St Jude Championship, the first of three play-off events which gets under way today. McIlroy told a pretournament press conference: ‘From my vantage point, common sense prevailed and I thought it was the right decision.
‘It just lets us focus on the important stuff, which is the golf. We can all move forward and not have that sideshow going on for the next few weeks.’
The TRO hearing was separate from the broader antitrust lawsuit initially filed against the PGA Tour by 11 players, including Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter. Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz has subsequently withdrawn his name.
McIlroy admitted the suit had made the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour and LIV breakaway ‘a little more personal’.
‘I certainly have a little more respect for the guys that haven’t put their names to the suit,’ he said. ‘Guys are going to make their own decisions they feel are best for them and that’s totally fine. I don’t begrudge anyone going to play LIV and taking guaranteed money.
‘Where the resentment comes from is the fact they want to try to get their way back in here with no consequences. Anyone that’s read the PGA Tour handbook or abided by the rules and regulations, that would feel very unfair to them.’ Judge Freeman said potential loss of income from the FedEx Cup play-offs had been taken into account when the players signed their LIV contracts. ‘It appears to the court that the LIV contracts, negotiated by the players and consummated between the parties, were based upon the players’ calculation of what they would be leaving behind and the amount the players would need to monetise to compensate for those losses,’ she said in quotes reported by SI.com.
‘I do agree with the defendants that those losses were well known to the players at the time and clearly monetised.
‘The evidence shows that it seems almost without a doubt that they will be earning more than they have made and could reasonably have expected to make in a reasonable amount of time under the PGA (Tour).’
In response, LIV Golf issued a short statement which read: ‘We’re disappointed that Talor Gooch (left), Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones won’t be allowed to play golf. No one gains by banning golfers from playing.’
Judge Freeman said the earliest a trial resulting from the antitrust lawsuit could start would be August 2023.
‘There’s such a long way to go,’ McIlroy said. ‘It’s like you birdie the first hole and you’ve still got 17 holes to go but it was a good day for the Tour and the majority of the membership yesterday.’
McIlroy aims to put his Open Championship heartache behind him as he focuses on the task of winning a record third FedEx Cup title. He held a two-shot lead midway through the final round at St Andrews and carded a bogey-free closing 70, but that wasn’t enough to see off Cameron Smith for the Claret Jug.
‘That night was tough,’ admitted McIlroy. ‘The few days after it were okay, I guess.
‘It probably took me three or four days to sort of get back to myself again. But I think what softened the blow a little bit is I felt I didn’t lose it.’
Smith, meanwhile, has slammed fellow Australian golfer Cameron Percy following his bombshell claim that the Open champion has joined the LIV tour.
Percy, who plays on the secondtier Korn Ferry Tour, stated on RSN radio on Tuesday that Smith was going to play in the Saudibacked series with compatriot Marc Leishman. It has been reported Smith has already signed a contract worth a staggering $143m (£116m).
‘Unfortunately, yeah, they’re gone,’ Percy said.
When quizzed about those comments ahead of the start of the FedEx Cup play-offs, Smith gave an angry response.
‘I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys (media) need to know anything, it’ll be said by me,’ he said.
‘If there’s something I need to say regarding the PGA Tour or LIV, it will come from Cameron Smith, not Cameron Percy.’