The Masters’ decision this week to invite members of LIV Golf to this season’s major event has not come without criticism and backlash. Perhaps the loudest voice against the decision has been from a coalition of September 11 survivors’ group who is already planning to take action.
9/11 Families United said this week that it plans to be present to protest at Augusta National Golf Club in April if the governing body behind the Masters doesn’t reconsider letting participants in the Saudi Arabia-funded golf circuit play in the tournament.
“In the aftermath of 9/11, our country agreed we would ‘Never Forget’ that horrible day,” the group said in a statement posted to its website.
“The only reason the Saudis launched LIV was to try to make the world forget who they are and what they did, including their role in 9/11. Anyone who truly vowed to ‘never forget’ should be appalled by the decision by these golfers to put money ahead of their own country.
“On behalf of 9/11 Families United, we are calling on Augusta National to reconsider their open-door policy to the LIV golfers. If they are welcomed with open arms, we will be at their front door to protest in April.”
Masters chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement Tuesday that “recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game” and that the controversial decision to invite LIV Golfers is an effort to bring players together.
The Masters tees off April 6, 2023.
