Attorney Larry Klayman recently lost a lawsuit against the PGA Tour, where he accused the organization of overcharging for tickets at five events scheduled in 2023 and 2024. The lawsuit was dismissed by a Palm Beach County circuit court judge who cited lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Klayman alleged that the Tour conspired to prevent LIV golfers from participating in their events, leading to attendees being overcharged for activities.
Initially filed as a putative class action on June 27, 2022, the case was dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction on Nov. 3, 2023, against DP World Tour, Keith Pelley, the Golf Channel, and OWGR. Klayman claimed that the Tour overcharged spectator admission tickets by 10 to 34 percent, violating the Florida Antitrust Act and Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practice Act.
The events in question included the 2023 Honda Classic, 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational, 2023 Players Championship, 2023 Valspar Championship, and the 2024 Genesis Open. However, the jurisdiction of Florida law was only applicable to alleged injuries in the Sunshine State, limiting potential damages to $174, falling short of the required $30,000 for subject matter jurisdiction.
In a brief opposing the Tour’s motion to dismiss, Klayman sought to enjoin the organization from setting supracompetitive prices for tickets, concessions, memorabilia, and souvenirs, as well as from suspending or fining PGA Tour golfers who participate in LIV tournaments. These requests were not originally included in the lawsuit. Klayman’s advocacy group, Freedom Watch, disputed the ruling, claiming the case had been turned into a secret star chamber with limited public access.
Freedom Watch argued that the lawsuit was filed in the public interest to expose alleged monopolistic acts of the PGA Tour and its commissioner, in collusion with Tiger Woods and others. Represented by the law firm Skadden Arps, the Tour successfully defended itself against Klayman’s allegations in court. The decision of the Palm Beach County circuit court to dismiss the lawsuit marks another legal defeat for attorney Larry Klayman.
