Background: Before LIV Golf existed, two English companies, the World Golf Group and the Premier Golf League spent years building the blueprint for exactly what LIV became. Shotgun starts, 54-hole events, team franchises with a captain, individual and team competition running simultaneously. Sound familiar? They claim the Saudis took their idea, used their confidential documents, and launched it without them.

What happened: The World Golf Group and Premier Golf League have filed a lawsuit in London's Commercial Court seeking between $210 million and $630 million in damages from LIV Golf, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Golf Saudi, and several individuals. The complaint alleges breach of confidence and unlawful means conspiracy and accuses two former WGG founders of helping the Saudis launch LIV Golf while still working for the original concept. LIV Golf did not respond to a request for comment.

What else: The story goes back to 2009 when Andy Gardiner first conceived a world golf league concept. By 2018, the World Golf Group had 30 founders, a $100 million funding agreement, and a proper business plan. The PIF was given access to their confidential data room in 2019 business plans, financial models, golfer contracts while supposedly exploring an investment. By 2021 the Saudis had walked away from negotiations, one WGG founder had defected to join them, and LIV Golf launched in June 2022 looking according to the lawsuit like a direct copy. The PIF ultimately invested more than $5 billion into LIV before pulling out in April.

What's the key learning?

Background: Full Swing makes golf simulators, the good ones. Tiger Woods has been an investor and ambassador since 2015. TGL, the indoor tech league Woods co-founded with Rory McIlroy, runs entirely on Full Swing's technology. In 2021, private equity firm Bruin Capital bought the company for $160 million. Five years later they're selling it for $530 million. Not a bad return.

What happened: Versant Media Group, the parent company of Golf Channel, GolfNow, and GolfPass has agreed to acquire Full Swing from Bruin Capital in an all-cash deal worth approximately $530 million, expected to close by the end of 2026. Full Swing joins the rest of Versant's golf portfolio under one roof, creating what is arguably the most comprehensive golf media and technology company in the world.

What else: Tiger Woods holds a 1–2% stake in Full Swing, meaning the acquisition puts a tidy sum in his pocket alongside the investment he's already made. Full Swing recently renewed its contract with TGL heading into season three. Bruin walks away with a 3x return on their original investment. Everyone is happy. Except perhaps the people who can't afford a Full Swing simulator which starts at around $50,000 and goes considerably higher from there.

What's the key learning?