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The tour's attorneys filed suit in the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York in an attempt to force
evidence discovery. They are looking to depose PIF governor
Yasir Al-Rumayyan and compel the Saudis to produce documents as
part of the ongoing legal tussle between the PGA and LIV.
The PIF financially backs the LIV Golf Invitational Series,
which has peeled off several of the best golfers in the world
from the PGA this year. It is controlled by crown prince
Mohammed bin Salman and governed by Al-Rumayyan, who is also the
chairman of Golf Saudi and the English Premier League club
Newcastle United.
Eleven members of LIV Golf sued the PGA to challenge their
suspensions from the tour, which were a consequence of playing
in the first LIV event without the PGA's permission. Eight of
the 11 players have since taken their names off the lawsuit.
The PGA countersued Sept. 29, saying LIV induced the likes of
Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka to breach
their contracts with the PGA.
Arguments for summary judgment are scheduled for July 13, 2023.
If it goes to trial, it would begin Jan. 8, 2024.
Critics say the LIV Golf series is a large-scale effort to "sportswash"
Saudi Arabia's human rights record and improve its global image.
The series kicked off in June and seven tournaments have been
played in England, the U.S., Thailand and Saudi Arabia. Its
season finale, a team championship, is set for next week at
Trump Doral in Miami.
--Field Level Media
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