Specialist Lifting Solutions for The Open and BMW PGA Championship

When millions of viewers tune in to watch golf’s biggest moments, they see the winning putt, the celebrations and the atmosphere. What they don’t see is the infrastructure working quietly behind the scenes to make every shot available to audiences around the world.

LIG was delighted to support broadcast operations at both The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, providing specialist lifting solutions that formed a critical part of the live television coverage.

For both events, LIG supplied and operated two 60t mobile cranes to support the Cam Cat broadcast system. Positioned hundreds of metres apart, the cranes acted as the anchoring points for a high-speed camera suspended on tensioned wires, capturing the sweeping aerial footage that follows play from tee to green and delivers some of the most recognisable visuals in modern golf broadcasting.

The installation required detailed planning and precise execution. Specialist frames were fitted to the crane jib heads, allowing the camera system to be mounted and tensioned across the course. Because the wires could only be installed once the playing areas were completely clear, rigging took place during carefully controlled overnight working windows, ensuring the system was ready for uninterrupted coverage throughout the events.

Working within an active championship environment presents unique challenges. Every element of the project had to be coordinated around strict operational schedules, broadcast requirements and the movement of staff, spectators and event infrastructure. Reliability was essential, with the camera system expected to perform continuously across multiple days of live global coverage.

For the LIG team, the projects demonstrated more than just lifting capability. They showcased the specialist expertise required to work within major sporting events, where timing, safety and precision are just as important as the equipment itself.

During the The Open, the team had the opportunity to visit the production compound and gain an insight into the scale of coordination required to deliver live coverage to audiences around the world. It emphasised that every broadcast relies on a vast network of specialists, all contributing to the final viewing experience.

From sporting venues and stadiums to temporary structures, broadcast installations and complex event logistics, LIG continues to support some of the UK’s most prestigious events with dependable lifting solutions and experienced operators.

While the champions may lift the trophies, we are proud to play our part in helping showcase those moments to a global audience.