The investigation by the Justice Department into professional golf is bigger than initially thought, as it also includes the Augusta National Golf Club, according to a report.
In addition to Augusta National, a golf club known for being secretive, the Justice Department’s investigation includes the United States Golf Association and the PGA Tour, according to people familiar with the matter. Documents for the department’s investigation have been produced by Augusta National, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The USGA plans to comply fully with any requests made by the Department of Justice for its investigation into the organization, a spokeswoman told the outlet. The organization governs golf in the United States and also oversees the U.S. Open.
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The investigation of the PGA Tour comes as it is in a legal battle with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour over its bid to establish a rival golf tour. Augusta National has been heavily featured in LIV’s complaint against PGA Tour, with LIV claiming that PGA Tour has leaned on Augusta to pressure players against joining LIV. The complaint also accuses Augusta National of attempting to align itself with the PGA Tour, the outlet reported.
LIV Golf’s antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour is being pursued in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, where the organization argues that the PGA Tour is acting illegally by suspending LIV players from its events to try and squash a rival. The PGA Tour has responded to LIV with a countersuit, accusing the new golf tournament of harming the organization by interfering with its business deals with golfers.
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LIV Golf’s entrance into the U.S. golfing world has sparked controversy, as many families of 9/11 victims have criticized it for its collaboration with Saudi Arabia, which has faced numerous accusations of human rights violations. Former President Donald Trump stoked controversy by hosting a LIV event at his resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, over the summer, and he is slated to host another at Trump National Doral Miami this weekend.
