Trial date set for LIV Golf players' lawsuit against TOUR

The judge presiding over the antitrust lawsuit filed by a group of LIV Golf players has set a date for trial, according to Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard.

Judge Beth Labson Freeman set a summary judgment hearing date of July 23, 2023, and a trial date of Jan. 8, 2024.

The attorneys for the group of LIV Golf players had shown support for a trial date of Aug. 7, 2023. They fought for the case to be "expedited" during a Zoom hearing on Thursday, according to Hoggard.

Conversely, Elliot Peters, the PGA TOUR's lead attorney, argued the schedule was "not reasonable or realistic" and pointed out that the first FedEx Cup Playoff event of the 2022-23 season starts the week of Aug. 7, 2023.

Peters argued the August date would make it difficult for certain TOUR personnel who may be subpoenaed to attend, according to Hoggard.

Earlier this month, 11 LIV Golf players - including Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau - filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA TOUR over their suspensions.

Carlos Ortiz, who reportedly withdrew from the lawsuit last week, was also included in the suspensions. However, the TOUR's lawyers alluded that more than one player withdrew from the case during the hearing, according to Hoggard.

Talor Gooch, Matt Jones, and Hudson Swafford also filed a motion seeking a temporary restraining order so they could play in the FedEx Cup Playoffs despite the suspensions. However, Freeman denied their requests last Tuesday ahead of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.