9/11 Families Send Letter To LIV Golf US Players
The players have been accused of sportswashing and faced calls from the 9/11 Familes United group for their Ryder Cup bans to be maintained
A prominent 9/11 survivors group has sent a letter to representatives of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Kevin Na expressing their anger, outrage and disappointment at their decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.
The 9/11 Families United group accused the five American golfers of “betrayal, not only of us, but of all your countrymen” and called it “absurd” to hope for rules exceptions to allow them to represent the USA in the Ryder Cup, calling on them to rethink their decision to sign with LIV Golf.
Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on Septemer 11th, 2001 in the terrorist attack which saw planes flown into the side of the towers of New York’s World Trade Center. Terry Strada, National Chair of the 10,000-strong 9/11 Families United group, lost her husband Tom in the attack.
She emailed representatives of the five American golfers to remind them of the significance Saudi Arabia, where most of the terrorists hailed from, played that day, saying: “Perhaps you were unaware of the Saudi role in September 11. Or if you were, perhaps you thought nobody would care, nearly 21 years later. Either way, you were mistaken.” The full letter can be read on the 9/11 Families United website here.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who last week announced all current and future LIV Golf players are banned from the PGA Tour, addressed the 9/11 Families United letter in an interview with CBS’ Jim Nantz, saying, “"my heart goes out to them.”
In the first LIV Golf Series event at Centurion last week, South African Charl Schwartzel took home $4.75million for winning the 48-runner event and also being part of the triumphant winning 4-man team, Stinger GC. He stated afterwards that he “never looked at where the money has come from”. The players are allowed to compete in this week’s US Open, with the next LIV Golf event starting on June 30th at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland, Oregon.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Jeff graduated from Leeds University in Business Studies and Media in 1996 and did a post grad in journalism at Sheffield College in 1997. His first jobs were on Slam Dunk (basketball) and Football Monthly magazines, and he's worked for the Sunday Times, Press Association and ESPN. He has faced golfing greats Sam Torrance and Sergio Garcia, but on the poker felt rather than the golf course. Jeff's favourite course played is Sandy Lane in Barbados, which went far better than when he played Matfen Hall in Northumberland, where he crashed the buggy on the way to the 1st tee!
-
6 Mistakes Golfers Make When Choosing A Putter
Joe Ferguson examines how you can avoid some common pitfalls the next time you look to change putters
By Joe Ferguson Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024
Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
By Mike Hall Published
-
The Banned Masters Item Which Could Have Really Helped Bryson DeChambeau's Chances This Weekend
Augusta National's strict policy regarding prohibited objects at its tournament contains one item which the leading LIV golfer could have really benefited from using
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Star Bryson DeChambeau Says ‘Mom Would Have Probably Smacked Me’ For Not Taking Huge $100m+ Deal
'The Scientist' was speaking about his decision to switch tours in 2022 and sign a reported $125 million deal with the LIV Golf League
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘Too Many People Are Losing Interest' - Bryson DeChambeau Says Agreement Between Tours Needs To Happen 'Fast'
The Crushers GC captain was speaking alongside Joaquin Niemann and Brooks Koepka ahead of LIV Golf Miami this weekend
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Phil Mickelson's New Caddie Sent Off With Heartfelt 'Thank You' By 10-Year Former Employer
Jon Yarbrough will replace Tim Mickelson as Lefty's looper ahead of the 2024 Masters and LIV Golf Miami
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Paulina Gretzky Reveals Death Threats And Other 'Awful, Awful, Awful Things' After Dustin Johnson's LIV Golf Move
The daughter of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky shared some personal stories from around the time of her husband's switch from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf on Full Swing Season 2
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Patrick Cantlay Unveils New Cap Sponsor After Losing Goldman Sachs Deal
The World No.5 has signed with Apollo, weeks after splitting from investment banking company, Goldman Sachs
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Butterfield Bermuda Championship Purse, Prize Money And Field 2023
There'll be a new Butterfield Bermuda Champion in 2023, with Adam Scott among the field at Port Royal Golf Course
By Mike Hall Published
-
How To Watch LIV Golf Chicago: Live Stream The Action
Follow a LIV Golf Chicago Live Stream to see all the action. Sebastián Muñoz goes into the final round three shots clear
By Roderick Easdale Last updated