Phil Mickelson Among Four More LIV Golf Players To Withdraw From PGA Tour Lawsuit

The 52-year-old is among more LIV Golf players to remove their name from the lawsuit, with just three remaining

Phil Mickelson takes a tee shot during the 2022 LIV Golf Boston tournament
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Mike Hall
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Phil Mickelson is one of four more players to withdraw their names from the antitrust lawsuit brought against the PGA Tour last month by a group of LIV Golf players. That means that, of the original 11 players who were named as plaintiffs, only three remain following the earlier withdrawals of Carlos Ortiz, Abraham Ancer, Jason Kokrak and Pat Perez.

Video: What Is LIV Golf?

The hearing is due to take place in early 2024 as players look to have their PGA Tour suspensions lifted. However, now Mickelson has withdrawn his name along with Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Ian Poulter, which only leaves Matt Jones, Peter Uihlein and Bryson DeChambeau.

The removal of Mickelson isn’t that big a surprise as the 52-year-old explained before the LIV Golf Chicago event that he was considering backing out of the lawsuit after LIV Golf became involved in it. Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Mickelson said: “Now that LIV is involved, it’s not necessary for me to be involved. I currently still am. I don’t know what I’m going to do, really.

“The only reason for me to stay in is [monetary] damages, which I don’t really want or need anything. I do think it’s important that the players have the right to play when and where they want, when and where they qualify for. And now that LIV is a part of it, that will be accomplished if and when they win.’’

Last month, it was revealed that LIV Golf had indeed joined the antitrust lawsuit after it filed an amended complaint saying that it was seeking "punitive damages against the PGA Tour for its tortious interference with LIV Golf's prospective business relationships." While Mickelson suggested that it wasn’t necessary for his name to remain on the lawsuit given LIV Golf’s involvement, it has not been confirmed why the other players have chosen to follow suit.

The trial is due to begin on January 8, 2024. Meanwhile, last week, LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman met Capitol Hill lawmakers to address the PGA Tour divide.

Mike Hall
Mike Hall
News Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.

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