To some, Augusta National’s decision to allow LIV golfers who had qualified for the 2023 Masters to play felt obvious. But in the days that have followed it is clear that decision does not sit well with everyone.
9/11 Families United, a September 11th survivors group, which has protested LIV Golf from its inception, is among those upset about ANGC’s decision. The group released a statement this week after Augusta National made its decision public on Tuesday.
“The only reason the Saudis launched LIV was to try to make the world forget who they are and what they did, including their role in 9/11,” the statement said. “Anyone who truly vowed to ‘never forget’ should be appalled by the decision by these golfers to put money ahead of their own country.”
This is not the first time 9/11 Families United has spoken out against LIV Golf. A press conference was held during the first LIV event in the United States, earlier this summer at Pumpkin Ridge GC outside of Portland. Weeks earlier, the families involved sent a letter to Phil Mickelson and other LIV golfers criticizing their decisions, prompting Mickelson to respond during a press conference at the U.S. Open.
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“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.”
Mickelson was among the biggest names who signed with LIV and chief among them who has had to answer harsh questions about his involvement. The upstart golf league he is now promoting is largely funded, almost entirely, by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, an entity the Saudis have used to diversify its wealth across the world.
The connections between Saudi citizens and the 9/11 terrorist attacks are well-documented. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers during the attacks were confirmed to be Saudi citizens, according to an FBI report declassified by the United States government in 2021.
Because of these connections, as well as other human rights violations taking place in Saudi Arabia, LIV Golf has launched in 2022 amid criticism that it is a sportswashing system. In other words, LIV Golf is a league by which the Saudi government can use its money to fund sports to clean its reputation globally.
Whether or not that’s the case or the perception by society, LIV golfers are set to play in the 2023 Masters in less than four months, and 9/11 Families United is now calling on Augusta National to change its course.
“On behalf of 9/11 Families United, we are calling on Augusta National to reconsider their open-door policy to the LIV golfers. If they are welcomed with open arms, we will be at their front door to protest in April.”
The 2023 Masters is set to take place April 6-9.
