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LIV Golf and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund are facing fresh legal trouble after being sued by their predecessor, the Premier Golf League.
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In a filing to the London Commercial Court on April 16, Premier Golf League and its parent company, World Golf Group Limited, launched a lawsuit against a group of defendants that includes the Public Investment Fund, Golf Saudi, several LIV Golf entities and two individuals.
At the heart of the case is the claim that the Premier Golf League had been in talks with Saudi investors before LIV Golf ever existed. The concept for the Premier Golf League dates back to 2019, when it was pitched as a new, breakaway circuit and an alternative to the traditional PGA Tour structure.
According to the filing, those early discussions didn’t lead to a deal. Instead, Golf Saudi went on to back a separate project in 2020 — one that would eventually become LIV Golf, which officially launched in October 2021.
The lawsuit shines the spotlight on the Premier Golf League, arguing that the idea it had been developing was used to help create what is now one of golf’s most disruptive new competitions.
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil – Sarah Reed
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Recent days have only added to the uncertainty around LIV Golf, with reports suggesting its backer, the Public Investment Fund, is considering scaling back or even ending its funding of the circuit.
While LIV Golf executives and their CEO Scott O’Neil, have pushed back and insist the 2026 season will continue as planned for 2026.
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Main Image: LIV Golf
