Why LIV Golf Sues DP World

LIV Golf has escalated the ongoing tension in the world of golf by filing a lawsuit aimed at removing DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley from his position. The upstart golf league, founded in June, finds itself embroiled in a legal battle not only with the PGA Tour but also with the DP World Tour. This latest lawsuit underscores the intensifying conflict between LIV Golf and the established golf circuits.

Earlier in August, a lawsuit was filed by 11 prominent players, including Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau, against the PGA Tour for its ban on LIV Golf members participating. While some players have withdrawn their names from the case, it is still pending, with a trial date scheduled for January 2024. Adding to the complexity, the DP World Tour has sought to challenge a subpoena from LIV Golf that targets the removal of Keith Pelley, the CEO of the tour.

At the heart of the matter is the allegation by LIV Golf that both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour have engaged in an “unlawful conspiratorial agreement” by forming a strategic alliance. Pelley’s legal team argues that the subpoena should not be applicable to him, citing a federal rule that restricts the court’s jurisdiction to within 100 miles of the person’s place of residence or business transactions. This clash exemplifies the broader conflict between traditional golf associations and the emerging LIV Golf circuit.

The tension surrounding this lawsuit deepened with the revelation that Keith Pelley and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan were allegedly planning to discuss the LIV Golf threat during an event. Although the PGA Tour denies this claim, it underscores the high-stakes maneuvering taking place behind the scenes in the golf world. The lawsuit filed by LIV Golf signifies their determination to challenge the existing golf hierarchy and carve out a distinct position in the competitive landscape of professional golf.