'I Have The Deepest Of Sympathy And Empathy' - Mickelson On 9/11 Families

The six-time Major winner was asked about a recent letter he and other US LIV Golf players received from 9/11 Families

Phil Mickelson pictured at a press conference
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Phil Mickelson faced the US media on home soil for the first time since his four-month spell away from the game and he endured a tough press conference that included a question on the letter he and other US golfers received from the 9/11 Families United group following the decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series.

The letter was sent to the American LIV Golf players from Terry Strada, whose husband died in the 9/11 attacks. Mickelson was asked a long question about the letter, cutting off the journalist midway through before answering that he has "deep, deep empathy" for the Strada family and everyone that has lost loved ones.

"I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them," Mickelson said. "I can't emphasize that enough. I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them.

"I think I speak for pretty much every American in that we feel the deepest of sympathy and the deepest of empathy for those that have lost loved ones, friends in 9/11. It affected all of us, and those that have been directly affected I think, I can't emphasize enough how much empathy I have for them."

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.

Mickelson opened up the press conference at Brookline with a statement to tell journalists that he understood and respected their feelings towards him and his recent decision to join LIV Golf. 

"I know that many of you have strong, well, many people have strong opinions, emotions about my choice to go forward with LIV Golf. I understand, and I respect that. I'm incredibly grateful for the PGA Tour and the many opportunities it has provided me through the years, but I am excited about this new opportunity as well."

He makes his first Major appearance of the year after missing The Masters in April for the first time since 1994 and also skipping his title defence at last month's PGA Championship. He has famously never won the US Open and finished runner-up on six occasions.

VIDEO: THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PHIL MICKELSON

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV