Sergio Garcia might be partly responsible for the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s decision to stop financing LIV Golf.Saudi Arabia‘s Public Investment Fund (PIF) withdrew their funding from the breakaway LIV Golf tour earlier this month.LIV Golf is searching for new investment after PIF pulled outGettyGarcia to blame?And it’s emerged that Garcia’s actions at the Masters in April could have played a part in PIF’s call.The 2017 Masters winner damaged a tee box at the 2026 edition of the iconic championship at Augusta National.And according to the Financial Times, PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan didn’t take too kindly to the incident.The article read: “In April, as LIV golfers floundered at the Masters, golf’s most prestigious tournament, Spanish star Sergio Garcia damaged the Augusta National course during a fit of rage in the final round.“People familiar with the matter Rumayyan’s embarrassment at the sequence of events helped lead to his decision to pull the plug on PIF’s financing of the rival tour, as the fund focuses more on its huge domestic commitments in [Saudi Arabia].“LIV declined to comment.”McIlroy speaks outFounded as a rival to the PGA Tour in 2021, beginning play the following year, LIV Golf has attracted some of the sport’s biggest names.Equally, other prominent players have steered clear, including six-time major champion Rory McIlroy – who successfully defended his Masters title this year.And asked recently about speculation that some LIV golfers could try to return to the PGA Tour, McIlroy replied: “I would argue, have they brought value to LIV? I think the PGA Tour is in a really good spot.“I’m not part of the discussions, but I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to be welcomed back straight away.”McIlroy has been a frequent critic of LIV GolfGettyMcIlroy’s comments provoked a strong reaction from fellow player Lee Westwood, who has competed on the LIV Golf tour since 2022.Westwood said: “I heard Rory’s [McIlroy] comments yesterday. I thought Scottie [Scheffler] answered the question well, and Rory’s answer was just typical of Rory, really.“It wasn’t well thought out. There are a lot of players on this tour who bring value to tournaments.”LIV Golf’s ‘next chapter’Despite the blow of PIF’s withdrawal, LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil is hopeful about the competition’s survival.“My confidence level is high [that LIV Golf will survive] because the facts are good,” he told the media as players heard from a prospective new investor, widely reported to be Ted Goldthorpe, co-founder of international investment firm BC Partners.O’Neil also confirmed speculation that players themselves could be offered a stake in the tour.“This next chapter is fundamentally different, he said. “We are building towards a league majority owned by its players. Players aren’t simply playing for LIV Golf – they have an opportunity to own it.”