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Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau Among LIV Golfers to File Antitrust Lawsuit vs. PGA

Aug 3, 2022
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY - JULY 31: Team Captain Phil Mickelson of Hy Flyers GC looks on from the driving range during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 31, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY - JULY 31: Team Captain Phil Mickelson of Hy Flyers GC looks on from the driving range during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 31, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are among the 11 golfers on the LIV Golf Circuit who reportedly filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour on Wednesday, per Louise Radnofsky and Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal.

Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones, Ian Poulter, Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Pat Perez, Jason Kokrak and Peter Uihlein were the other golfers attached to the lawsuit.

The golfers on the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit are challenging the PGA Tour's decision to suspend them for participating in LIV events.

"The Tour's conduct serves no purpose other than to cause harm to players and foreclose the entry of the first meaningful competitive threat the Tour has faced in decades," the motion says.

As part of the lawsuit, Gooch, Swafford and Jones are looking for a temporary restraining order that would allow them to play in the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Playoffs. They each accumulated enough points to qualify for the 125-player field prior to joining LIV, but the PGA Tour said they cannot compete.

The PGA Tour will allow players from outside the top 125 in the rankings to compete and take the place of those associated with LIV.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan responded to the lawsuit:

Radnofsky and Beaton noted the new lawsuit also illuminates some details on Mickelson's status with the PGA Tour. Lefty is arguably the face of LIV Golf at this point and, according to the suit, was suspended in March for allegedly recruiting players. The PGA Tour denied his application for reinstatement and said he cannot reapply until March 2024 after playing in multiple LIV events.

This is not the only legal issue the PGA Tour is facing, as Radnofsky and Beaton previously reported the Justice Department is investigating it for anticompetitive behavior. However, the PGA Tour has also received some bipartisan support from lawmakers on Capitol Hill given LIV's financial backers.

"We welcome good, healthy competition," Monahan said. "The LIV Saudi Golf League is not that. It's an irrational threat; one not concerned with the return on investment or true growth of the game.

"If this is an arms race and if the only weapons here are dollar bills, the PGA Tour can't compete. The PGA Tour, an American institution, can't compete with a foreign monarchy that is spending billions of dollars in an attempt to buy the game of golf."

This comes after LIV Golf announced it will expand its schedule to 14 tournaments for $405 million in purses next year (h/t ESPN's Mark Schlabach).

It debuted this year with eight tournaments and $255 million in purses.

LIV Golf has received plenty of criticism because of the financial backing of the Saudi Arabian government, which has been accused of attempting to sportswash its human rights violations.

Henrik Stenson Wins 2022 LIV Bedminster; Phil Mickelson Finishes 35th

Jul 31, 2022
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY - JULY 31: Henrik Stenson of Majesticks GC fist bumps a young fan on his way to the 11th tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 31, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY - JULY 31: Henrik Stenson of Majesticks GC fist bumps a young fan on his way to the 11th tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 31, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images)

Henrik Stenson cruised to victory in the LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster, shooting a two-under 69 in Sunday's final round to finish the three-day tournament at 11 under.

Playing in his first LIV Golf event, Stenson took home $4 million for the win and earned another $375,000 after his team's second-place finish.

Stenson entered the day holding a three-stroke lead for first place and didn't face any danger of being overtaken atop the leaderboard.

Matthew Wolff made a charge with a seven-under 64 in the final round, but he finished tied for second with Dustin Johnson with an overall score of nine under. Carlos Ortiz placed fourth at eight under, followed by Patrick Reed in fifth at seven under.

Phil Mickelson had his best round of the tournament with an even-par 71, but he finished at six over to place 35th.

LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster Leaderboard

1. Henrik Stenson (-11)

T-2. Matthew Wolff (-9)

T-2. Dustin Johnson (-9)

4. Carlos Ortiz (-8)

5. Patrick Reed (-7)

T-6. Talor Gooch (-4)

T-6. Sergio Garcia (-4)

T-6. Paul Casey (-4)

T-6. Lee Westwood (-4)

T-6. Turk Pettit (-4)

Full leaderboard via LIVGolf.com

Stenson set the tone from the very first hole Sunday by sinking a birdie to extend his lead. He avoided any early mistakes, recording birdies on the fifth and 14th holes. His clean round came to an end with a bogey on the 15th hole, but he made par on his final three holes to secure the win.

Stenson last tasted victory on the PGA Tour at the Wyndham Championship in 2017, so Sunday's win was a long time coming for the 46-year-old. He didn't receive as much fanfare as the other golfers who jumped from the PGA Tour to join LIV, but he will surely garner more attention going forward after a dominant performance at Bedminster.

After entering Sunday outside of the top 10, Wolff enjoyed the best round of the day, which was highlighted by an eagle on the 10th hole. He also recorded five birdies with no bogeys to move into the top three.

Johnson had a strong day, but he opened the round with a bogey on the first hole. He recovered by notching four birdies, including one on the 18th hole to move into a tie for second.

Mickelson's round was defined by inconsistency. He also recorded a bogey on the first hole, but he appeared to bounce back with birdies on the fourth, eighth and 11th holes. However, he reverted back to his lackluster play with bogeys on holes 14 and 17.

In three LIV Golf events, Mickelson has not finished inside the top 30. He is the highest-earning golfer of 2022, but his play has not lived up to his pay so far.

The LIV Golf Invitational Series will return to action Sept. 2 from The Oaks Course at The International in Boston.

Phil Mickelson, LIV Golfers Will Be Allowed to Play in 2022 Open Championship

Jun 22, 2022
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts on the 11th tee during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States reacts on the 11th tee during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

As was the case with last week's U.S. Open, LIV Golf players will be permitted to play in the 2022 Open Championship.

According to ESPN, the R&A made the announcement Wednesday, with CEO Martin Slumbers releasing the following statement:

"The Open is golf's original championship, and since it was first played in 1860, openness has been fundamental to its ethos and unique appeal. Players who are exempt or have earned a place through qualifying for The 150th Open in accordance with the entry terms and conditions will be able to compete in the Championship at St. Andrews. We are focused on staging a world class championship in July and celebrating this truly historic occasion for golf. We will invest the proceeds of The Open, as we always do, for the benefit of golf which reflects our purpose to ensure that the sport is thriving 50 years from now."

Slumbers' announcement means the door is open for top LIV Golf stars such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed to take part in the British Open.

The same is true for Brooks Koepka, who is reportedly set to make the leap from the PGA Tour to LIV, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

The 150th Open Championship will run from July 14 to 17 at St. Andrews Links in St. Andrews, Scotland.

LIV Golf, which is backed by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, has been luring in big-name PGA Tour players with huge contracts, larger purses, fewer tournaments and shorter tournaments, as they are 54 holes rather than the traditional 72.

The first LIV Golf event took place near London this month and saw 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel win the tournament, as well as $4.75 million.

While Mickelson hasn't done so yet, many of the golfers who left for LIV have resigned from the PGA Tour. In retaliation to the defections, the PGA Tour has suspended all LIV Golf players who left the tour.

Despite the public issues between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, the United States Golf Association permitted LIV golfers to compete in the U.S. Open last week.

Only four of the 14 LIV golfers in the field made the cut, and Johnson had the best finish among them, as he tied for 24th at plus-four.

Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen were among those who missed the cut.

Oosthuizen and Mickelson are the only LIV Golf players with an Open Championship win on their resume, as Oosthuizen won at St. Andrews in 2010 and Mickelson won at Muirfield in 2013.

England's Matthew Fitzpatrick, who remains on the PGA Tour, will look to win much closer to home at St. Andrews next month after winning his first career major at the U.S. Open this month.

Other top golfers expected to be in the mix are Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas.

Phil Mickelson Ripped for Missing Cut at 2022 US Open After LIV Golf Participation

Jun 17, 2022
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States walks the 17th hole during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States walks the 17th hole during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

One week after making his LIV Golf debut, Phil Mickelson turned in a disastrous performance at the U.S. Open and missed the cut.

After shooting an eight-over 78 in Thursday's first round at the Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, Lefty followed up with a three-over 73 in Friday's second round, leaving him at 11 over for the tournament and in a tie for 143rd place at the conclusion of his round.

The 52-year-old Mickelson is a six-time major winner who was looking to complete the career Grand Slam, but he didn't come close and instead missed the fifth U.S. Open cut of his career.

Mickelson was off target for much of his 36-hole run in Brookline, even hitting a spectator with an errant shot during the second round:

Large groups tend to follow golfers who are performing well, but as seen in the following video, the spectacle of Mickelson's poor performance drew a big crowd as well:

The social media reaction to Mickelson's showing was largely negative as many took shots at his decision to join the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf circuit.

One of the unique concepts introduced by LIV Golf is the absence of a cut during its tournaments, which multiple Twitter users pointed out is not the case on the PGA Tour:

Others referenced that Mickelson chased the money by signing with LIV Golf, as he reportedly landed a $200 million deal to make the move.

Mickelson was on the receiving end of social media barbs from those who wondered if he deserved such a big contract based on how he has been playing lately:

https://twitter.com/CraskePete/status/1537831381786558468
https://twitter.com/OperationMince1/status/1537810424938348545

Additional tweets rolled in regarding his struggles and the fact that he was beaten out by most of the amateurs in the U.S. Open field:

Although there were only 156 players in the U.S. Open field, another Twitter user joked that betting on a top-150 finish by Mickelson came down to the wire:

While Mickelson has not joined some of his LIV Golf peers in resigning from the PGA Tour, the tour has made it clear LIV Golf players won't be permitted to play in PGA Tour events.

Mickelson can still compete in majors because of exemptions, but his immediate future in golf will primarily relate to LIV Golf.

Last week, he finished in a tie for 33rd place at 10 over in the LIV Golf event in London following a long layoff from competition of any kind.

Mickelson likely still has some solid golf left in him—he became the oldest major winner ever last year when he won the PGA Championship—but he is clearly in a funk.

Phil Mickelson Ripped After Shooting 8-Over 78 During 1st Round of 2022 US Open

Jun 16, 2022
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Phil Mickelson of the United States looks on as he walks off the seventh green during round one of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 16, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Phil Mickelson of the United States looks on as he walks off the seventh green during round one of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 16, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson shot an eight-over 78 in the first round of the U.S. Open from The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts on Thursday.

It was a brutal day for the six-time major winner, who found himself five-over through the first six holes.

The lowlight of the day occurred on the par-three sixth, when a 12-foot chance at birdie led to a four-putt for a double bogey.

Mickelson bogeyed the 10th before a bounceback birdie at No. 11, but he made double bogey on the 12th after his tee shot went way right. It took him three shots to find the fairway again.

The rest of the round featured five pars and a closing bogey. Mickelson is all but assured of missing the U.S. Open cut (top 60 and ties) while he sits tied for 145th.

This was Mickelson's first round of competitive golf stateside since the Farmers Insurance Open in January, but he recently joined the upstart, Saudi Arabia-financed LIV Golf Invitational Series for a reported $200 million and played in their inaugural tournament in London's Centurion Club. He shot 10-over and finished tied for 34th.

During and after his round Thursday, numerous analysts and fans provided commentary on Mickelson's performance.

Mickelson will tee off with Shane Lowry and Louis Oosthuizen on the 10th hole at 8:02 a.m. ET on Friday for Round 2.

Phil Mickelson Talks LIV Golf Criticism, PGA Tour Suspension, More Ahead of US Open

Jun 13, 2022
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 13: Phil Mickelson of the United States speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club on June 13, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 13: Phil Mickelson of the United States speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club on June 13, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson didn't shut the door on a return to the PGA Tour during his news conference Monday ahead of the U.S. Open while continuing to sidestep criticism of his move to LIV Golf.

On the heels of LIV Golf's inaugural event, Mickelson addressed the criticism the series is continuing to receive because of its financing from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

In addition to Saudi Arabia's poor record on human rights, the role of Saudi nationals in the Sept. 11 attacks has drawn renewed scrutiny. Terry Strada, the national chairperson of 9/11 Families United, wrote a letter saying those who signed with LIV Golf "become complicit with their whitewash, and help give them the reputational cover they so desperately crave."

Mickelson addressed Strada's letter directly.

"I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them," he said. "I can't emphasize that enough. I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them."

The six-time champion also talked about the indefinite suspension he and 16 others received from the tour for competing in LIV's London tournament:

My preference is to be able to choose which path I would like, one or the other or both. I feel that I gave as much back to the PGA Tour and the game of golf that I could throughout my 30 years here, and through my accomplishments on the course I've earned a lifetime membership. I intend to keep that and then choose going forward which events to play and not.

I am, again, very appreciative of the many memories, opportunities, experiences, friendships, relationships [the] PGA Tour has provided, and those are going to last a lifetime. But I'm hopeful that I'll have a chance to create more.

Even before the suspension, Mickelson had been notable for his absence on the tour. His last appearance was the Farmers Insurance Open in January.

The 51-year-old removed himself from the spotlight amid the fallout from comments he gave to Alan Shipnuck of the Fire Pit Collective.

With rumors swirling about his possible involvement with LIV, he said the Saudis were "scary motherf--kers" who "killed [Washington Post reporter Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights." Nonetheless, he spoke positively about a Saudi-backed breakaway league "because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."

Mickelson quickly apologized, but the damage was already done by that point.

"I have had strong opinions and ideas, let's say, regarding most of the governing bodies, and I've done a poor job of conveying that," he said Monday. "I've made it public, and that's been a mistake. That's one of the mistakes I've been making, and try to going forward be a lot more thoughtful with my words and actions and try to keep a lot of those things behind closed doors."

While Mickelson is unable to compete in tour events for the time being, the U.S. Open leveled no such ban. He's scheduled to tee off Thursday at 1:47 p.m. ET at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

LIV Golf London 2022: Charl Schwartzel Wins Record $4.75M; Mickelson Finishes 10 over

Jun 11, 2022
South Africa's Charl Schwartzel watches his drive from the 4th tee on the third and final day of the LIV Golf Invitational Series event at The Centurion Club in St Albans, north of London, on June 11, 2022. - The LIV Golf Invitational London, the launch event of a lucrative and divisive series that is rocking the sport reaches it's conclusion. The $25 million event in St Albans -- the biggest prize pot in history -- is the first of eight tournaments this year bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, worth a combined $255 million. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
South Africa's Charl Schwartzel watches his drive from the 4th tee on the third and final day of the LIV Golf Invitational Series event at The Centurion Club in St Albans, north of London, on June 11, 2022. - The LIV Golf Invitational London, the launch event of a lucrative and divisive series that is rocking the sport reaches it's conclusion. The $25 million event in St Albans -- the biggest prize pot in history -- is the first of eight tournaments this year bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, worth a combined $255 million. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Charl Schwartzel has won the first LIV Golf Invitational Series event, which took place at Centurion Club near London from Thursday through Saturday.

In addition, Stinger GC (Schwartzel, captain Louis Oosthuizen, Hennie Du Plessis and Branden Grace) cruised to the team win by shooting a combined 20 under, or 14 shots better than second-place finisher Crushers GC (led by captain Peter Uihlein).

Schwartzel won $4.75 million for his efforts: $4 million for the individual win and $750,000 for being a member of the victorious team. That's all part of the richest purse in golf history, with $20 million to players and $5 million to teams ($25 million total).

The 2011 Masters winner entered Saturday at nine under after shooting 65-66 on Thursday and Friday. He held a three-shot lead over Du Plessis and a five-shot advantage going into the 12th hole.

However, Schwartzel's double bogey on the par-four 12th hole gave the field some life after he plugged his third shot in the bunker. Du Plessis had a good look at birdie for a potential three-shot swing but could not convert.

Du Plessis did cut the lead to two after parring the 14th, while Schwartzel bogeyed the same hole. Both players parred the next three holes.

Schwartzel bogeyed the 18th while Du Plessis parred, but there wasn't much drama on the last as the eventual winner just needed to tap in to finish seven under for the tournament.

Du Plessis took second at six under. Grace finished tied for third with Peter Uihlein after the latter player ended with a birdie. Grace had the best round of the day at five under.

Sam Horsfield rounded out the top five at three-under.

The biggest names in the field posted varying results.

Two-time major winner Dustin Johnson finished eighth in the 48-golfer field at one under. He shot even-par or better on all three days. Only nine golfers shot even-par or better overall.

Johnson's team, 4 Aces GC, finished fifth at two under.

Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson struggled after a strong one-under start Thursday. He shot a five-over 75 Friday before following that up with a six-over 76 Saturday to finish 10 over. Mickelson's team, Hy Flyers GC, finished 10th in the 12-team field (12 over).

Other notables included Sergio Garcia (T22, six over), Oosthuizen (T10, one over) and Graeme McDowell (T10, one over).

LIV Golf will head to Portland, Oregon's Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club for another three-day event beginning June 30.

Phil Mickelson Biographer Alan Shipnuck Removed from LIV Interview Area After Event

Jun 10, 2022
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Phil Mickelson of Hy Flyers GC speaks to the media during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - London at The Centurion Club on June 09, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Phil Mickelson of Hy Flyers GC speaks to the media during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - London at The Centurion Club on June 09, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/LIV Golf/Getty Images)

Golf writer Alan Shipnuck was inexplicably removed from the interview area at the LIV Golf Invitational Series inaugural event at Centurion Golf Club near London.

Shipnuck, who wrote Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar, had been following Mickelson for his opening round. When Mickelson finished playing and went to speak to reporters, Shipnuck was not allowed to join, per Golfweek's David Dusek.

Afterward, Shipnuck insinuated LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman had something to do with his removal:

Shipnuck told Golfweek he reached out to Norman directly and Norman replied that he hadn't heard about the situation. However, it was later revealed that Norman witnessed the whole thing:

As far as Shipnuck knows, he didn't break any rules. He told Golfweek in a text message, "I was credentialed and I was standing in the flash area at the start of Phil’s presser when they came for me."

An extract from Shipnuck's book released in February led to a raft of criticism for Mickelson and LIV Golf. While discussing potentially participating in the breakaway golf league, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian government, Mickelson was reported to have said:

"They're scary motherf--kers to get involved with. We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates."

Mickelson apologized for the remarks following some of the reaction. He was also asked to elaborate on the comments Wednesday:

"I don't condone human rights violations at all. Nobody here does, throughout the world. I'm certainly aware of what's happened with Jamal Khashoggi, and I think it's terrible. I've also seen the good that the game of golf has done throughout history, and I believe that LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well. I'm excited about this opportunity, and that's why I'm here."

Mickelson refused to detail specifics of his issues with the PGA Tour, but many have speculated that money is the primary reason for players switching over to LIV Golf and resigning from the PGA Tour. According to Golf Channel's Brentley Romine, Mickelson—who has also refused to give up his membership to the PGA Tour—is being paid around $200 million to play in LIV Golf events.

Shipnuck said in an email to Golfweek that he is unsure who made the call to have him removed.

"I have no ill will toward Phil," he wrote. "I just wanted to ask him one boring golf question, which is my job. Either he is being way too sensitive or the LIV folks are being too overprotective but, either way, they are overreacting."

Shipnuck also indicated that officials used intimidation to get him to leave the area.

"The security guards were inappropriately aggressive and physical, considering I was just standing there trying to make sense of the bizarre reasons they were citing for wanting to remove me," he said.

This isn't the first incident a media member has had to deal with this week at the event. According to Dusek, Associated Press reporter Rob Harris was cut off and removed from LIV media center. LIV officials reportedly reprimanded Harris for not being "polite." Harris was eventually allowed to return to the media center.

The second round of the LIV Golf event is set to begin on Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET. For his part, Shipnuck said he will remain undeterred.

"This whole situation is messy and ridiculous," Shipnuck said to Golfweek. "If I have another boring golf question for Phil I’ll ask it because I did fly 6,000 miles to be here and I’m not inclined to be silenced by Greg Norman and his goons."

Bryson DeChambeau Loses Rocket Mortgage Sponsorship After Leaving PGA Tour for LIV

Jun 9, 2022
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 03: Bryson DeChambeau tees off on the first hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 3, 2022 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 03: Bryson DeChambeau tees off on the first hole during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 3, 2022 in Dublin, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

Rocket Mortgage announced it is severing ties with Bryson DeChambeau amid the golfer's decision to participate in the LIV Golf Tour:

DeChambeau and Patrick Reed became the latest golfers to join the Saudi Arabia-backed tour, joining Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and several other notables. Several players have lost sponsorship deals because of their decision but have been coaxed to LIV thanks to massive guaranteed salaries.

Mickelson lost several sponsorships earlier this year after making comments that were deemed insensitive regarding human rights violations committed by the Saudi government, most notably its involvement in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

RBC cut ties with Johnson after he announced his intention to play in LIV events.

Both Johnson and Mickelson are in the field for this week's inaugural LIV event in London. DeChambeau is expected to make his debut when the tour comes stateside later this month in Portland, Oregon.

The PGA Tour suspended every member golfer who was in the LIV Golf field and has said it plans to continue suspending players as they defect to the new tour.

Players will still be eligible to compete in major championships, provided they qualify or receive an exemption.

LIV Golf London 2022: Charl Schwartzel Leads After Day 1; Phil Mickelson Shoots 69

Jun 9, 2022
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Phil Mickelson of Hy Flyers GC tees off on the 1st hole during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - London at The Centurion Club on June 09, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: Phil Mickelson of Hy Flyers GC tees off on the 1st hole during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational - London at The Centurion Club on June 09, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf/Getty Images)

After months of drama, LIV Golf officially got underway with its inaugural event Thursday in London.

Charl Schwartzel leads the 48-player field after shooting a five-under 65 in Round 1 at the Centurion Club, one stroke ahead of Hennie Du Plessis in second place.

The big names in the event also had positive moments. Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson both finished one stroke under par, putting them in a tie for seventh place and four strokes off the lead.

The controversial tour, which is backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, features only three rounds with no cuts. That could keep a lot of players in the race for the $4 million first-place prize.

Round 1 Leaderboard

1. Charl Schwartzel (-5)

2. Hennie Du Plessis (-4)

T3. Phachara Khongwatmai (-3)

T3. Scott Vincent (-3)

T5. Justin Harding (-2)

T5. Branden Grace (-2)

T7. Dustin Johnson (-1)

T7. Phil Mickelson (-1)

T7. Sam Horsfield (-1)

T7. Laurie Canter (-1)

Leaderboard via LIV Golf broadcast.

The money involved in LIV Golf has drawn plenty of headlines, and the first tournament features a massive prize pool:

It has brought out proven stars even under the threat of suspension from the PGA Tour, which the tour announced Thursday.

This might not matter if they make enough from the competition.

Johnson and Mickelson put themselves in reach of first place with impressive shots throughout the day:

It was far from a perfect day from Mickelson in his first tournament in over four months. A double bogey at No. 4 put him at two over earlier in the day, while Johnson also had one double when a tee shot went out of bounds.

Things could have been worse as the veterans remain within striking distance.

Sergio Garcia finished one stroke over par in his first round, while Kevin Na ended plus-three.

The first round also highlighted lesser-known golfers from around the world who came through with outstanding shots:

Du Plessis and Phachara Khongwatmai, two players outside the top 100 in the world rankings, were among the most impressive and have a chance to earn life-changing money in this event.

Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, was the best in the field to take an early lead. His eagle on No. 18 turned heads, while a birdie on his final hole of the day put the 37-year-old in solo first place.

Schwartzel and Du Plessis also keyed an impressive performance for Stinger GC in the team race. The top two scores for each team count for the competition, and the duo put Stinger GC in the lead even without the two-under score from teammate Branden Grace.

With Louis Oosthuizen also on the all-South African team, it might be a difficult group to beat this weekend.

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