The U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust investigation into the PGA Tour also includes the U.S. Golf Association, PGA of America and Augusta National Golf Club, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
The Wall Street Journal’s report did not specify why the three golf organizations are also now being investigated as part of the probe.
Augusta National hosts the Masters in Georgia every spring. PGA of America runs the PGA Championship tournament.
In a statement made to Golf Digest, the USGA confirmed that it had been contacted by the DOJ.
“We can confirm that we have been contacted by the Department of Justice and are fully complying with any/all requests,” a spokesperson said. “Given this is a legal matter, we will refrain from further comment at this time.”
The investigation began in the summer, as the PGA Tour confirmed in July that it was part of the DOJ’s probe into whether the golf circuit broke antitrust laws while competing with new rival LIV Golf.
In August, the LIV Golf Invitational Series — the Saudi Arabia-backed tour that is now competing with the PGA — joined a lawsuit with LIV golfers in U.S. District Court, accusing the PGA Tour of anti-competitive behavior.
The PGA Tour then filed a counterclaim against LIV Golf, who offered large paydays to convince PGA golfers to join the new circuit.
“This case is not about unfair competition — if anyone is competing unfairly, it is LIV, not the tour,” the PGA Tour said in its response to the antitrust lawsuit. “Instead, it is a cynical effort to avoid competition and to freeride off of the tour’s investment in the development of professional golf.”
This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.