Phil Mickelson snaps at reporter over 9/11 letter question as Major great barks he’s already read it

Unrepentant Phil Mickelson snapped at a journalist who dared to ask the six-times Major winner about the letter from heartbroken victims of the 9/11 atrocity.

Mickelson has opted to play in the LIV series that is being bankrolled by the Saudis, reports Michael Gannon at Brookline.

Those nearest and dearest to the families of the 9/11 tragedy that saw 2,977 die from terrorists attacks are outraged by the new venture that has rocked golf.

The survivors group – led by wife of one of the victims Terry Strada – wrote to the renegades voicing their disgust at getting into bed with sport washing Saudi Arabia money men.

Former Open champion Mickelson’s decision to feature in the series has sparked fury as his U-turn prompted accusations of hypocrisy on the part of the 51-year-old.

When it was put to him about the letter, he fired back: "I've read all that. Is there a question in there?"

The star has been slaughtered along with the other rebels for accepting a huge sums of cash join the controversial LIV Tour.

Mickelson pitched up at Brookline on Monday ahead of the US Open and was asked how he could justify his move.

But the American – who signed a deal understood to be worth up to $200m – 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.”

Mickelson also ducked when asked if he would be responding to the group personally.

He said: “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