Phil Mickelson responds to criticism over playing in Saudi-backed LIV Golf

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Phil Mickelson on Monday responded to criticism he’s received about playing in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf as he prepared for the upcoming U.S. Open.

Mickelson received a lot of scrutiny last week from 911familiesunited.org, which represents families and survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The group wondered how Mickelson and some other professional golfers could participate in the league given Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record and links to the terror attacks that left thousands dead in 2001.

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Phil Mickelson ponders a question at a press conference, Monday, June 13, 2022, at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, ahead of the U.S. Open golf tournament.  (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Additionally, Hatice Cengiz — the widow of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi who was murdered by Saudi agents in Turkey — called for Mickelson’s banishment from major golf tournaments.

"I respect and I understand their opinions," Mickelson said Monday. "And I understand that they have strong feelings and strong emotions regarding this choice. And I certainly respect that."

He said, for him, it was the "right decision" to play in LIV Golf. He reportedly inked a deal worth $200 million to move to the organization. While other new LIV Golf members have resigned their PGA Tour membership, Mickelson said he declined to do so.

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Phil Mickelson ponders a question at a press conference, Monday, June 13, 2022, at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, ahead of the U.S. Open golf