The LIV Golf series made its debut this past weekend with several former PGA Tour players, including Phil Mickelson.
It was a strange week for Mickelson and his cohorts, who tried to dodge questions about the Saudi-backed league and the money they were getting paid, all while getting shots taken at them by their PGA Tour counterparts.
Mickelson is still competing in this week’s U.S. Open and he met with the media on Monday. Naturally, the talk turned to money and how the tour is being funded.
Specifically, Mickelson was asked about how survivors and families of victims of 9/11 reached out to him regarding taking money from Saudi Arabia, which played a role in funding the tragedy.
Phil Mickelson says he has "deep empathy" for people who lost loved ones on 9/11.
This comes after a coalition of families and survivors of 9/11 sent a scathing letter to Mickelson and other American golfers over their decision to compete in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour. pic.twitter.com/iwG099tZFK
— The Recount (@therecount) June 13, 2022
Mickelson offered an apology of sorts without really getting into how he can square the two things.
“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,’’ Mickelson said. “I can’t emphasize that enough. I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them.’’
Many people are upset that Mickelson and other former PGA golfers have chosen greed over doing the right thing. Besides being implicated in 9/11, the Saudis also have been accused of many human rights violations.
For his part, Mickelson says he understands why people are upset.
“I know that many of you have strong — well, many people have strong opinions, emotions about my choice to go forward with LIV Golf. I understand, and I respect that,’’ he said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the PGA Tour and the many opportunities it has provided me through the years, but I am excited about this new opportunity as well.’’
3/ Tiger Woods turned down $1,000,000,000 of Saudi money to play golf. 1 Billion.
The greatest golfer who ever lived is human like all of us.
He isn’t a Saudi whore and propaganda stooge. @PhilMickelson is though. Many of them are. 3/4
— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) June 8, 2022
Reports are players on the LIV tour are being paid much more to play overseas than with the PGA Tour, though at the cost of many ethical and moral concerns that make the league appear to be a giant “sportswashing” enterprise. Mickelson’s inability to provide coherent answers to these kinds of questions isn’t going to make that sentiment go away.
Phil Mickelson's worst press conference I can ever remember. He looked uncomfortable, sounded defensive, and said basically nothing. He looked like an extremely embarrassed guy trying not to seem embarrassed. Yikes.
— Riggs (@RiggsBarstool) June 13, 2022
{SI.com}
