Some players’ agents have been contacted by the DOJ in recent months.
The issues stem from the PGA Tour suspending players who participate in LIV Golf, a Saudi-funded rival circuit.
“This was not unexpected. We went through this in 1994 and we are confident in a similar outcome,” a PGA Tour spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
The Federal Trade Commission in the 1990s investigated the tour over rules that restricted golfers’ ability to participate in outside events and appear on television. But no disciplinary action was ultimately taken.
LIV, founded in 2021 and funded by wealthy Saudi Arabians, began hosting U.S. events this year. Its competitions have drawn a number of PGA golfers, including Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau. LIV officials have bragged about its “growing roster” and how it is “providing new opportunities for the best players in the world to compete.”
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan told The Associated Press in February that players who participated in LIV events would be removed from the PGA Tour. He said that “anyone on the fence needs to make a decision.”
The tour added in May that members “have not been authorized” to take part in an LIV event in London and warned any members who still did “are subject to disciplinary action.”
That led to Dustin Johnson, a longtime PGA member, and Kevin Na resigning from the tour.
“I’m very thankful for the PGA Tour and everything it’s done for me. I’ve done pretty well out there for the last 15 years. But this is something that was best for me and my family. It’s something exciting and something new,” Johnson told reporters during a briefing.
Other leagues have also become involved.
The trio had been fined $121,230 each.
“I will simply say we are disappointed by the outcome of today’s hearing, but will abide by the decision,” Keith Pelley, DP’s CEO, said in a statement at the time. “It is important to remember, however, this is only a stay of the sanctions imposed, pending the hearing of the players’ appeal as to whether those sanctions were appropriate.”
