Overview
- A six-person Palm Beach County jury ruled that Nicklaus Companies defamed the 85-year-old, awarding $50 million in damages.
- Jurors found the company liable but cleared executive chairman Howard Milstein and executive Andrew O’Brien of personal responsibility.
- The case focused on false statements that Nicklaus considered a $750 million leadership or endorsement deal with LIV Golf and that he was mentally unfit.
- Court records show a 2021 meeting with Golf Saudi was arranged for course-design discussions, during which Nicklaus says he immediately declined any LIV role.
- The verdict follows a 2024 arbitration freeing Nicklaus from a noncompete and an April 2025 New York ruling allowing him to use his name and image, and the company has not indicated whether it will appeal.