9/11 victims slam PGA Tour over Saudi LIV Golf meeting on anniversary of attacks

Families of victims who passed away in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks have clapped back at the PGA Tour for scheduling a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) on the days surrounding the tragic anniversary .

It's believed PGA Tour officials and representatives from Saudi Arabia’s PIF - the backers of LIV Golf - convened in New York on Tuesday. The timing of the meetings - which are expected to last multiple days and took place on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the most devastating terrorist attacks on American soil - drew the ire of 9/11 Justice president Brett Eagleson, who called the talks “completely tone deaf.”

Speaking to CNN on Wednesday, Eagleson - whose father John lost his life during the attacks on 9/11 - added: “At one point in time, the PGA Tour were brothers in arms with us. They were standing lockstep, fighting the battle about Saudi Arabia doing 9/11.

• Tiger Woods condemned by 9/11 families over 'disgusting' meeting with LIV Golf chiefs

• Brooks Koepka set to venture away from LIV Golf and reunite with Rory McIlroy

“About all these other atrocities, women’s rights, human rights. All these different issues that Saudi Arabia is infamous for, the PGA was standing side-by-side with us. And then all it took was a couple billion dollars and they caved like a cheap suit.

“Of all days, they pick this day. The day we mourn the death of 3,000 Americans, to be blocks away. As we speak right now, they’re likely locked in arms smoking cigars while our family members burned alive 10 blocks away.

“What happened to (PGA Tour commissioner Jay) Monahan? He said he was going to meet with us, he said he owed us an apology. We haven’t heard words from him. He sent Jimmy Dunne in front of a senate committee panel and made him take arrows.

Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news

“Monahan just stepped away... So you know what, the PGA, shame on you - you should be advocating that we have closure first, and then let’s talk about your golf deal next.”

In an official statement released on Tuesday, Eagleson shed further light on the Saudi Arabian government’s alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks. Newly released video made public in a June CBS News report displays Omar al-Bayoumi, a Saudi intelligence operative, discussing an attack “plan” and where to hit the U.S. Capitol building.

15 of the 19 attackers involved in the assault of the United States that day were Saudi nationals. The Saudi Arabian government, however, has vehemently denied any involvement in the attacks.

“As has been confirmed in the last few weeks by CBS News reporting, the Saudi Arabian government played a role in the horrific attacks of 9/11,” Eagleson said. “It is disgusting, unacceptable, and incredibly painful that the Tour and (Tiger) Woods would do this - especially now.”

Though initial reports suggested that Tiger Woods and Adam Scott were in attendance for recent negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s PIF as members of the PGA Tour’s transaction committee, Sports Illustrated later confirmed that Woods did not attend the meeting in person.