The families of those whose lives were tragically lost on September 11, 2001, have a right to express their outrage once again this week, a week in which the New York region, and the entire United States, are mindful to “never forget.”
On Tuesday, September 10, the day before the 23rd anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in American history, PGA Tour executives met in New York with members of LIV Golf's beneficiary, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). ESPN's Mark Schlabach first reported news of the discussions this week.
Tiger Woods and Adam Scott are reportedly in attendance at the talks, along with Joe Gorder, chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises and executive chairman of Valero, and Fenway Sports Group owner John W. Henry.
“Tomorrow marks the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, and today we are standing right next to Ground Zero in New York City, with the PGA Tour and Tiger Woods negotiating with them,” said Woods, who lost his father, John, in the attacks. 9/11 Justice Presidentsaid in a statement on Tuesday.
“As CBS News reporting in recent weeks has confirmed, the Saudi Arabian government was involved in the horrific attacks of 9/11. For the Tour and Woods to do this, especially now, is disgusting, unacceptable and incredibly distressing.”
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in the 9/11 attacks were Saudi Arabian nationals, so it's understandable why the families of 9/11 victims have protested so vigorously since LIV Golf was founded — those same families have voiced their opposition in three Senate hearings over the past 14 months, and continue to do so today.
However, as time passes, more and more evidence continues to come to light about Saudi Arabia's role in the 9/11 attacks.
As Eagleson noted, CBS News Report The newly released video shows Saudi intelligence officer Omar Al-Bayomi discussing the “plan” for the attack, which was released in June 2024. In the tape, Al-Bayomi also discusses where on the U.S. Capitol would be attacked, the presumed target of Flight 93.
“This footage is conclusive evidence that official agents of the Saudi Arabian government were complicit in planning and carrying out the murder of 2,977 innocent men and women on September 11, 2001,” Eagleson said after the video was released.
“The Saudi Arabian government's complicity in these heinous acts must remain in focus. It is finally time for Saudi Arabia to be held accountable.”
Biden Administration Declassified documents released Evidence emerged in early 2024 indicating that Saudi Arabian government officials had supported the attackers in the months and years leading up to that horrific day.
Additionally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a terrible history of human rights violations, oppressing women, fueling the civil war in Yemen, and murdering Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The government also controls all media, restricting all freedoms for the press and its citizens.
Additionally, PIF President Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who announced the initial framework agreement with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan in June 2023, is facing a $74 million lawsuit in a Canadian court for allegedly carrying out “instructions” from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to harm, silence and ultimately destroy the family of former Saudi intelligence chief Dr. Saad Al-Jabri.
But PIF has more than $700 billion in assets and is investing more than $1 billion in the launch of LIV Golf. The company has investments in almost every industry, many of them in the United States. $40 billion fund for artificial intelligence (AI)around Time Magazine.
The kingdom knows that its most important export, oil, is a depreciating asset, so it feels an obligation to diversify its economy through investments in everything from English Premier League club Newcastle United to artificial intelligence, Twitter and aviation, and the moves are paying off.
It's no wonder bin Salman said he would “continue to play sports,” with LIV Golf being a perfect example. The practice has helped Saudi Arabia's economy and improved its standing on the world stage, despite its shaky history.
In any event, representatives of the PGA Tour and the PIF continue to work toward an agreement that could bring men's professional golf back together, which the Tour hopes would also see the PIF join Strategic Sports Group (SSG) as a $1 billion investor.
But Eagleson and hundreds of other families continue to fight, even as the anniversary of the sadly worst day of their lives approaches.
“Former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris are scheduled to tour the 9/11 memorial tomorrow,” Eagleson added.
“We urge them to address new evidence that has recently emerged indicating that the Saudi Arabian government supported the 9/11 attacks.”
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
