Mickelson's 9/11 comments cut little ice with families of victims

Phil Mickelson has expressed his "deepest sympathy" to the families of those who lost loved ones in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the wake of stinging criticism of his decision to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

A group representing victims' families and survivors accused Mickelson and a number of fellow high-profile American players of sportswashing and betraying their country by competing in last week's event at Centurion Club.

Asked about the letter written by Terry Strada, the national chair of 911familiesunited.org, in a press conference ahead of the US Open, a visibly uncomfortable Mickelson said: "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.

"I can't emphasise that enough. I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them."

Pressed on whether he would respond privately to the letter, Mickelson largely repeated his earlier answer and his comments cut little ice with Strada, a mother of three whose husband Tom died in the attack on the north tower of the World Trade Centre.

She told the PA news agency: "Phil knows exactly what he's doing, and he and his fellow LIV golfers should be ashamed.

"They are helping the Saudi regime sportswash their reputation in return for tens of millions of dollars, at the very same time our government is rolling out more damning evidence of Saudi culpability in the 9/11 attacks.

"As the PGA Tour commissioner (Jay Monahan) said Sunday, 'You'd have to be living under a rock' to not understand the implications of involving yourself with the Saudis."

Mickelson and the other 16 PGA Tour members who competed in the first LIV Golf event without permission were instantly suspended by the Tour,