Federal judge rules against LIV golfers seeking to play in FedExCup Playoffs

Memphis will not be the site of any on-course clashes between the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf series thanks to a federal judge in California. 

Judge Beth Labson Freeman ruled against LIV golfers Talor Gooch, Matt Jones and Hudson Swafford after they sought to force their way into the FedExCup Playoffs. Last week, the trio jointly filed for a temporary restraining order as part a larger antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour.

The three golfers – who defected to the LIV Golf series after already earning enough points to qualify for the PGA's postseason – argued they should be allowed to compete in the FedExCup Playoffs largely because it would cause them irreparable financial harm. The postseason begins Thursday with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis. 

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Freeman's ruling is a significant victory for the PGA Tour in the first of what is expected to be a series of legal battles.

The FedEx St. Jude Championship is scheduled to tee off Thursday at 8:15 a.m. ET, with Brandon Wu, Trey Mullinax and Brendon Todd on No. 1, and Matthew NeSmith, Gary Woodland and Beau Hossler on No. 10. All told, there will be 121 golfers in the field. The top 125 players in the FedExCup standings qualify for the event, but Tommy Fleetwood (personal), Daniel Berger (injury), Lanto Griffin (injury) and Nate Lashley (injury) will not participate.

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.