5 things to consider after LIV Golf players lost Round 1 in lawsuit versus the PGA Tour

At various times in Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Freeman commented on the high dollar figures associated with LIV contracts signed by players and their restrictive nature.

At one point, Judge Freeman mentioned how the LIV contracts are worth more than the three plaintiffs have earned on the PGA Tour. The exact payments were redacted from public view, but the judge and the litigators were privy to the dollar figures. For comparison, Gooch has $9.5 million in career PGA Tour earnings, Jones has $18 million in career earnings and Swafford has $10 million in career earnings.

The judge also at one point said the LIV contracts were more restrictive than PGA Tour contracts, effectively solidifying a point of speculation among some pundits in recent months. LIV golfers are required to play all LIV events, while the Tour allows players to pick and choose among a greater field of events. LIV plans to hold 14 events in 2023, while most Tour golfers are required to play at least 15 events per season. There is also speculation that LIV golfers will be requested to play in some Asian Tour events, as that tour is affiliated with LIV. Major championships count among the 15 events most Tour players are required to play, while the majors would not count among the 14 events LIV golfers would be required to play. The judge effectively said that LIV’s requirement to play all its events is more restrictive than the Tour’s requirements.

Another point about the LIV contracts: There has been speculation that events earnings count against a LIV player’s guaranteed bonus money. LIV has denied this, and several players have also denied it when asked by the media, essentially saying that all event prize payouts are in addition to the signing bonuses. But at one point in Tuesday’s hearing, Walters told Judge Freeman that players must win money on LIV to recoup against their contracts, and she seemed to agree after having seen the contracts. It’s possible, of course, that he was misinformed about how the contracts work, but his statement comes after reading the contracts in detail and presenting them to the judge. LIV later issued a statement denying what Walters told the judge, but somebody clearly doesn’t have that story straight.