Sergio Garcia's dramatic display at the Masters in April reportedly played a role in Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) deciding to stop funding the LIV Golf tour, according to a new report.
LIV Golf is currently facing an uncertain future after the PIF announced it would not provide funding beyond the 2026 season, a decision that has cast doubt over the careers of prominent golfers like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
The Financial Times reported that one catalyst for the PIF's decision was Garcia's behavior during the final round at Augusta National. The 2017 Masters champion drove his ball into a fairway bunker on the second hole and, before the ball had landed, repeatedly struck the turf with his driver, dislodging a chunk of earth. He then snapped the head off his club against a cooler box.
This incident, along with the struggles of other LIV golfers at the Masters, allegedly left PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan feeling "embarrassed" and contributed to his decision to withdraw PIF's financial support for the tour, the report stated. The Daily Mail has contacted LIV Golf for comment.
Following the incident, Masters officials issued Garcia with a code of conduct warning. "Obviously not super proud of it, but sometimes it happens," Garcia said after his round, later issuing an apology two days later. "I respect and value everything that The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to golf. I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game."
Many LIV stars now face uncertain futures. The current event in Indianapolis serves as the season finale, following the cancellation of the tour's individual and team championship previously scheduled for Michigan.
At the Indianapolis event, players have been choosing walk-up songs for the 12th hole. Tyrrell Hatton selected Queen's 'I Want To Break Free,' a choice reportedly discussed openly in the locker room as a potential farewell song. Tom McKibbin chose 'Breaking Free' from the musical of the same name.