The European golf boss has apologised to the families of the 9/11 victims after holding talks with the Saudi sponsors of LIV Golf in New York City on the 23rd anniversary of the attacks.
On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks killed 2,977 people and injured thousands at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
DP World Tour boss Guy Kinnings has been in talks with the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (the owners of LIV Golf and Newcastle) to reach a peace deal. Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group is also said to be involved after investing in the PGA Tour.
However, the timing of the talks angered the victims’ families, with 9/11 Justice chairman Brett Eagleson (who lost his father John in the attacks) calling those involved “completely tone-deaf.”
When told that the timing of the talks “doesn’t look good,” Kinnings, according to the MirrorHe replied: “No, absolutely true. The point is that, unfortunately, we do not set the calendar or the agenda.
DP World Tour boss Guy Kinnings has apologized to the families of the 9/11 victims following big-budget talks involving Saudi-backed LIV Golf in New York City last week on the 23rd anniversary.
Big-money peace talks are underway between the DP Tour, PGA Tour and LIV Golf (pictured is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan)
The talks in New York began on September 10 and were expected to last several days.
From my point of view, I only feel the deepest sympathy and empathy for these families.
‘We were called into a meeting, which I don’t think we set the dates for, and we were trying to do what was best for golf. But there’s a bigger picture for the families. I was there, I saw several ceremonies and all you get is sympathy and empathy for the families.
“There was no intention to disrespect anyone in the meeting. I don’t think it was intentional at all. The intention was to do the right thing for the sport, but if anyone was upset by that, of course I apologize because I have deep compassion for those people.”
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in 2021 were Saudi nationals, although the country’s government has always strongly denied any involvement in the attacks.
9/11 Justice has long accused Saudi Arabia of aiding the terrorists who carried out the attacks and has been a frequent critic of LIV Golf.
Talks in New York began on Tuesday, September 10, and are expected to last several days.
Eagleson previously criticized superstar player Tiger Woods and those who attended the meeting.
9/11 President Justice, who was 15 when he lost his father in the South Tower, wrote on X on Sept. 10: ‘Tomorrow we commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, but here we are today, in New York City, right around the corner from Ground Zero, and the PGA Tour and Tiger Woods are negotiating with them. ‘
9/11 Justice Chief Brett Eagleson (center) said those involved in the meeting were “completely tone deaf.”
9/11 Justice chief criticizes Tiger Woods and golf bosses over talks
He added: “IIt is disgusting, unacceptable and incredibly hurtful for the Tour and Woods to do this, especially now.
LIV Golf was launched in 2022 and although the framework for a peace deal was announced last year, no agreement has yet been reached.
Rory McIlroy said earlier this week that the two biggest obstacles to any deal were the US Department of Justice and “differing player interests”.
Asked what the obstacles were to reaching a deal, McIlroy told reporters at Wentworth on Wednesday: Sports Illustrated:Department of Justice. There may be different interests on the part of the players.
“I would say maybe half of the LIV players want the deal done, the other half probably don’t. I would say it’s probably a similar thing on the PGA Tour.
“Because, as in everything, everyone looks out for themselves and their own interests. Some people would benefit from not reaching an agreement, but obviously others would benefit from reaching an agreement.”