Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have arguably been the two most vocal players surrounding the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series, with it being recently announced that the pair have launched a technology focussed golf league that will begin in 2024.
However, following the launch of the league, as well as a number of huge changes announced by PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, it has been reported that both Woods and McIlroy were served notice of a subpoena to reveal details of a recent meeting between PGA Tour players’ at last weeks' BMW Championship, the second tournament of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Monahan highlighted a number of key changes which are designed to "bring the game's top players together more often."
In a press release, it stated that: “It is believed that discussions occurred which are alleged… to be anticompetitive and violative of the antitrust laws vis a vis the LIV Golf Tour and its players”. The release added that Woods has been given notice of a deposition on the 21st September, McIlroy is the 22nd September and PGA Tour Commissioner, Monahan, the 27th September in Jupiter Florida.
Larry Klayman, who is a lawyer representing the lead plaintiff in a case against the PGA Tour, reportedly claims that: "This is not a personal 'thing' against Woods, McIlroy and Monahan. It's about getting information about what occurred at the players' meeting and generally with regard to allegations in our complaint that the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and their commissioners Jay Monahan and Keith Pelley, are allegedly colluding in restraint of trade and the antitrust laws to harm the LIV Golf Tour and its players.”
Along with his statement, Klayman also added that the new PGA Tour changes, in which include the introduction of four elevated events, as well as a Player Impact Program purse that will increase to $100m, is an attempt “to emulate LIV Golf, while continuing to allegedly harm LIV and its players", with Klayman calling it "LIV Light".
Klayman speaks outside the US Federal District Courthouse in January 2019
Following Monahan's press conference at the Tour Championship, LIV Golf reacted to the changes, with the Saudi-backed series releasing a statement which simply read: “LIV Golf is clearly the best thing that’s ever happened to help the careers of professional golfers”.
The series CEO, Greg Norman, couldn't help but take a dig as well, as the Australian posted a meme of himself and Monahan, with the caption showing the PGA Tour boss asking: “Hey, can I copy your homework?” and Norman replying: “Sure, just make it look different so it doesn’t look too obvious”. The post drew laughing emoji responses from LIV players Lee Westwood and Charles Howell III.
-
'I Could Hear Scathing Mutterings Among The Older Generation, But Now They Are All Strutting Out To Play Golf In Leggings'Why the fashion-fad bubble of wearing golf leggings has burst for our contributor
-
Tony Finau Pulls Out Of Grant Thornton InvitationalTony Finau has withdrawn from the Grant Thornton Invitational due to a knee injury, with his place alongside Nelly Korda being taken up by Daniel Berger
-
Tiger Woods To Make PNC Championship Return Alongside Son CharlieThe 15-time Major winner is set to tee it up for the first time since back surgery in September, with Team Woods making their fifth appearance in the tournament
-
‘To Say That McIlroy’s Season Was Not A Success Is Wide Of The Mark’To say it's been a dramatic 2024 for Rory McIlroy is a bit of an understatement, with the four-time Major winner going through multiple highs and lows this year
-
Tiger Woods Coy Over PNC Championship ReturnSpeaking to NBC’s Dan Hicks during the final round of the Hero World Challenge, the 15-time Major winner gave a rather muted response to when his return may happen
-
'A Natural Fit' - Tiger Woods Backs Keegan Bradley US Ryder CaptaincyThe 15-time Major winner made his remarks during an appearance in the NBC Sports broadcasting booth in the final round of the Hero World Challenge
-
Hero World Challenge Final Round Tee TimesScottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas will go out together in round four of the Hero World Challenge, with the latter holding a one-stroke lead...
-
From 'Unfinished Business' To A Favourite Course - Why Rory McIlroy Fancies His Major Chances In 2025Rory McIlroy is confident he can finally end his Major drought in 2025, with a couple of venues giving him extra hope of adding a fifth to his name
-
Rory McIlroy Details 'The Ones I've Let Get Away' & Life In The Limelight In New DocumentaryRory McIlroy opens up about his big near miss at the US Open and just what it's like being in the spotlight in a new TV documentary
-
Hero World Challenge FREE live stream: How to watch today's finaleWorld No.1 Scottie Scheffler is paired with leader Justin Thomas going into the final round
