Masters 2023: Families of 9/11 victims slam Phil Mickelson and the LIV Tour

Phil Mickelson’s return to the Masters hasn’t been a welcome one, with one of the faces of LIV golf name-checked in a powerful statement from the families of 9/11 victims.

Tiger Woods has backed changes to ball technology to rein in the longer hitters but concedes he may not be around to see it come into effect as he confronts the possibility that this could be his last appearance at the Masters.

Woods faces numerous challenges at Augusta National this week but his greatest may be Father Time and his own golfing mortality. Nowadays, the 15-time major winner finds it difficult to walk through four rounds of golf, a result of the leg injury he suffered two years ago in a car accident.

That didn’t stop him firing a warning shot across the bow of the field when asked whether he was a threat this week, prompting him to hark back to his shock win in 2019.

“Whether I’m a threat to them or not, who knows,” Woods said.

“People probably didn’t think I was a threat in 2019 either but kind of turned out okay. I think my game is better than it was last year at this particular time.

“I think my endurance is better. But it (his leg) aches a little bit more than it did last year just because at that particular time when I came back, I really had not pushed it that often.

“You know, I just have to be cognisant of how much I can push it. Like Rory (McIlroy) was saying, I can hit a lot of shots but the difficulty for me is going to be the walking going forward. It is what it is. I wish it could be easier.”

Phil Mickelson is back at the Masters. Picture: AFP Images

Woods has played only once this year and little more since the Open Championship last year. However, he revealed had been preparing for the Masters by memory, simulating scenarios in the backyard of his home or at his local golf club.

“A lot of it has been understanding the golf course, and I know the golf course,” Woods said.

“So I’ve been able to recreate a lot of the chip shots at home in my backyard or at Medallist hitting balls off the side of lies, trying to simulate shots and rehearsing again and again each and every flag location, each and every shot I would possibly hit.

“I’ve gone through so many different scenarios in my head.”

He also endorsed plans to change the golf ball to reduce the length of the longest hitters.

“The guys are going to become more athletic,” Woods said.

“Everyone is going to get bigger, stronger, faster as the generations go on. I think this should have happened a long time ago.”

Phil Mickelson is back as well, having sat out last year’s event after his inflammatory comments about the Saudi regime.

He later joined LIV Golf, prompting a slew of criticism. It hasn’t stopped either, with LIV and Mickelson still in the crosshairs.

On Wednesday morning (AEST), 9/11 Families United – a group representing the families of victims of the terrorist attack 25 years ago – held a press conference in Atlanta where they questioned the decision to allow LIV golfers to play the Masters this week given their tour is supported by Saudi money, leading to claims of sport washing.

They name-checked Mickelson.

Mickelson was one of the biggest names to join the LIV Tour. Picture: Getty Images

“By allowing Phil and numerous fellow Saudi-backed LIV golfers to play in The Masters this week and giving them an opportunity to possibly don the coveted green jacket, Augusta National is giving Saudi Arabia exactly what they want, and we do not, an international platform to perpetuate this malicious PR stunt,” said Terry Strada, the National Chair of 9/11.

“It is a decision that should be roundly condemned.”

Having declined the opportunity to take part in the organised media interviews, Mickelson finally spoke on Wednesday (AEST) morning and did his best to avoid anything controversial.

“It’s fun to be back,” Mickelson said.

“Everyone has been wonderful.”

Mickelson also backed Cameron Smith’s comments from 24 hours earlier where he suggested it was an important week for the credibility of LIV Golf even there are 18 players from the rebel group in the field.

“I really enjoy being around him,” Mickelson said.

“I don’t know if that’s the case or not. I thought he said some really great things, though. He’s probably right.

“It would be nice to validate the amount of talent that is over there on LIV, and I think a lot of guys are playing really well heading in. So I think it will be fun to watch.”