LIV Golf lawsuit explained: Why the league is facing a $630m claim

LIV Golf is facing a fresh legal battle. 

A group of English companies behind the proposed Premier Golf League (PGL) are suing LIV Golf, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Golf Saudi and several individuals, claiming their confidential ideas and business plans were used to create the Saudi-backed circuit.

The claim was filed in April at London’s Commercial Court, but ESPN obtained court records in July. 

PGL and World Golf Group are seeking between $210m and $630m in damages. 

Here, GolfMagic breaks down everything you need to know about the case. 

Who is bringing the lawsuit?

The legal action has been brought by World Golf Group (WGG) and Premier Golf League (PGL), two companies that spent years developing plans for a new global golf competition.

The group claims it created the concept of a worldwide golf league before LIV existed and developed the commercial structure, financial models and operating plans needed to launch it.

The lawsuit alleges that this work was later used without permission to create LIV Golf.

What are the main allegations?

The central claim is that LIV Golf copied elements of the PGL concept after gaining access to confidential information.

The plaintiffs argue that LIV Golf closely resembles the league they had been developing, pointing to similarities such as:

• team-based competition alongside individual tournaments
• franchise-style teams
• player captains
• shotgun starts
• shorter tournament formats

The PGL claims LIV was a "bald facsimile" of its idea.

The defendants have not accepted those allegations, and LIV Golf has not issued a public response to the lawsuit.

Where did the idea for a rival golf league come from?

According to the lawsuit, the idea dates back to 2009, when Andy Gardiner began developing a concept for a global golf competition.

The project evolved over several years, eventually involving Richard Marsh and Jed Moore, who helped establish World Golf Group in 2018.

The group attracted investment interest, including a commitment from the Raine Group to provide up to $100m to support development of the league.

The ambition was to create a major international competition that could challenge the traditional golf structure dominated by established tours.

How did Saudi Arabia become involved?

The lawsuit claims discussions with Saudi officials began in 2019.

During the Saudi International, representatives of WGG and PGL met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of the PIF, and Majed Al-Sorour, chief executive of Golf Saudi.

The plaintiffs allege Saudi representatives were given access to confidential materials, including business plans, financial projections and player information.

A proposed investment deal worth around $1bn was later discussed, with the PIF expected to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars.

However, the PGL struggled to secure commitments from enough top players.

ESPN reported that court documents showed representatives of golfers for Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed met with representatives of the PGL, Raine Group and the PIF. 

The lawsuit claims players were concerned about possible bans from the PGA Tour and whether PGL events would receive Official World Golf Ranking recognition if they were to join. 

Why did LIV Golf launch instead?

The plaintiffs allege that after attempts to launch the PGL stalled, the PIF shifted its focus toward creating its own league.

The lawsuit claims Saudi officials wanted greater control over the project and that negotiations over ownership, compensation and equity broke down.

Richard Marsh later left the PGL and joined the Saudi-backed effort, according to the claim.

LIV Golf officially launched in June 2022, backed by the PIF, with Greg Norman as chief executive and later signing some of the biggest names in the sport, including Dustin Johnson and the aforementioned Mickelson.