The battle over the winner of the 2016 White Marlin Open winner apparently is over.
A U.S. Appeals Court has come down on the side of the organizers over Phil Heasley and his crew.
The Salisbury Daily Times reports that with a catch of a 76.5 pound white marlin Heasley had been declared the winner of $2.8 million.
But Heasley failed a second polygraph about potential rules violation which involved the time anglers were allowed to drop their lines.
A U.S. District Court also found in favor of the White Marlin Open and the money was divided among the other winners.
The organizers of the event say they are pleased with finally being able to put the 2016 controversy behind them.
The White Marlin Open is the world’s largest billfish tournament.
