Mickelson contemplating leaving lawsuit against PGA TOUR

It appears the number of LIV Golf players involved in the lawsuit against the PGA TOUR may continue to dwindle.

Phil Mickelson is contemplating removing his name from the antitrust lawsuit filed against the TOUR over suspensions for joining the Saudi-backed league.

"Now that LIV is involved (in the lawsuit), it's not necessary for me to be involved," Mickelson said Thursday, according to Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig. "I currently still am. I don't know what I'm going to do, really."

Mickelson was one of LIV Golf's first big names when he joined ahead of the inaugural event in June. He was also among the initial 11 players whose names were attached to the lawsuit filed in early August.

"The only reason for me to stay in is (monetary) damages, which I don't really want or need anything," Mickelson said. "I do think it's important that the players have the right to play when and where they want, when and where they qualify for. And now that LIV is a part of it, that will be accomplished if and when they win."

Since the date of the filing, Carlos Ortiz, Pat Perez, Jason Kokrak, and Abraham Ancer have all dropped their names from the lawsuit. LIV Golf was added to it in late August.

The list of players still involved in the lawsuit is now down to seven: Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones, Ian Poulter, and Peter Uihlein.

LIV Golf is in Chicago this week for its fifth event of the season. The series has two more stops before heading to Miami for the inaugural season-ending team championship that features a $50-million purse.

This week's event begins Sept. 16 at Rich Harvest Farms. The trial date for the lawsuit is set for January 2024.