Phil Mickelson: “I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them. I can’t emphasise that enough”; Mickelson also reiterates his desire to remain on the PGA Tour and says he only has respect for golfers who have criticised him
Phil Mickelson insists he has “the deepest of sympathy and empathy” for the families of the 9/11 victims and those who survived the New York terrorist attacks in 2001 after he was criticised by them for joining the LIV Invitational Golf Series.
The competition is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) which has led to Mickelson and the other Americans who joined the series being accused of “betraying” the victims in a strongly-worded letter from a prominent support group.
In citing Saudi Arabia’s prominent role in the terror attack – Osama bin Laden and 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis – Terry Strada, the chair of 9/11 Families United whose husband died in the attacks, wrote: “Whether it was the appeal of millions of dollars of hard cash, or just the opportunity to prosecute your professional grievances with the PGA, you have sold us out. This is a betrayal not only of us, but of all your countrymen.”
In citing Saudi Arabia’s prominent role in the terror attack – Osama bin Laden and 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis – Terry Strada, the chair of 9/11 Families United whose husband died in the attacks, wrote: “Whether it was the appeal of millions of dollars of hard cash, or just the opportunity to prosecute your professional grievances with the PGA, you have sold us out. This is a betrayal not only of us, but of all your countrymen.”
