9/11 families lambast golfers involved in 'appalling' LIV tour

Ahead of the third LIV golf event at the Trump National Golf Club at Bedminster, the families of 9/11 victims have held a press conference in close proximity to the course, launching an attack on what they describe as the players' "appalling" decision to join the Saudi sponsored tour.

The third instalment of the eight-tournament 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Series takes place at the New Jersey venue.

Both this week's event and the year's concluding event in Doral will be held at Donald Trump-owned courses. The 45th US President has praised the breakaway tour as a great addition to golf and great for the image of Saudi Arabia.

On Tuesday, 911familiesunited.org held a press conference in Bedminster, lambasting the tour and expressing their horror that professional golfers "could be bought" in this manner.

Fifteen of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudi and a number of FBI reports in recent years that suggested contact between hijackers and the Saudi associates, but no evidence the Riyadh government was complicit in the attacks.

The Saudi government has always denied any involvement in thr attacks that killed almost 3,000 people.

"If I could talk to (the players from LIV Golf) I would that say I'm horrified they could be bought. It’s not like they are struggling (financially)," said Alison Crowther, whose son Welles, a former Boston College Lacrosse player, was killed when one of the hijacked planes hit the South Tower of the World Trade Centre.

"That they could be morally compromised by money from a source such as this, I find it appalling. I find it a testament to their own character, which is unsatisfactory."

Matthew Bocchi, whose father John was killed in the North Tower, said Saudi involvement in golf set a precedent that the