Rory McIlroy gives verdict on Tiger Woods ‘disgusting and unacceptable’ meeting with LIV Golf’s Saudi backers in New York
Rory McIlroy has spoken out about Tiger Woods and PGA Tour officials said they met with the Saudi Arabian backers of LIV Golf a day before the anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York.
The world’s two largest golf companies have been in talks about a merger for over a year, and the meeting is being held in the hope that they can finally reach an agreement.
AX flight tracking account radar atlas2 found that private jets belonging to Woods, Saudi oil and gas company Aramco and the PGA Tour all landed in New York on Monday.
In response, 9/11 Justice Chairman Brett Eagleson issued a scathing statement criticizing Woods for holding the meeting just a day before the anniversary of the attacks, calling it “disgusting and unacceptable.”
While McIlroy did not criticise Woods to the same extent, the Northern Irishman did not stand by his fellow golfer either. Reports emerged months ago about how the relationship between the two had soured.
McIlroy has spoken out after reports that people from the PGA and LIV Tours met this week
Woods was part of the reported rallies ahead of the anniversary of the September 11 attacks
“It’s certainly odd timing,” McIlroy said of the reported Sept. 10 conversations. “I don’t know much about the conversations that are going on. I know they’re happening, but I’m not involved in them.”
“I think we’re all in the game of golf and trying to figure out a solution to all of this and move forward. So we’ll see, yeah. I know as much as you do at this point, and I’m sure there’s going to be news coming out in the next few days.”
Fifteen of the 19 September 11 attackers were Saudis, but the Saudi government has consistently denied involvement in the attacks.
Eagleson, who lost his father in the South Tower at age 15, wrote: “Tomorrow marks the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, but today we are here in New York City, around the corner from Ground Zero, and the PGA Tour and Tiger Woods are negotiating with them.
‘As confirmed by CBS News in recent weeks, the Saudi government played a role in the horrific September 11 attacks.
“It is disgusting, unacceptable and incredibly hurtful that the Tour and Woods would do this, especially now.”
9/11 Justice has long accused Saudi Arabia of supporting the terrorists who carried out the attacks. The organization also regularly criticizes LIV Golf.
In 2022, they condemned former President Donald Trump for hosting the Saudi-backed tour at his New Jersey track, saying they felt “extreme pain, frustration and anger” as a result of his decision to host a tournament.