Unrepentant Phil Mickelson snapped at a journalist who dared to ask the six-times Major winner about the letter from heartbroken victims of the 9/11 atrocity.
Mickelson has opted to play in the LIV series that is being bankrolled by the Saudis, reports Michael Gannon at Brookline.
Those nearest and dearest to the families of the 9/11 tragedy that saw 2,977 die from terrorists attacks are outraged by the new venture that has rocked golf.
The survivors group – led by wife of one of the victims Terry Strada – wrote to the renegades voicing their disgust at getting into bed with sport washing Saudi Arabia money men.
Former Open champion Mickelson’s decision to feature in the series has sparked fury as his U-turn prompted accusations of hypocrisy on the part of the 51-year-old.
When it was put to him about the letter, he fired back: "I've read all that. Is there a question in there?"
The star has been slaughtered along with the other rebels for accepting a huge sums of cash join the controversial LIV Tour.
Mickelson pitched up at Brookline on Monday ahead of the US Open and was asked how he could justify his move.
But the American – who signed a deal understood to be worth up to $200m – said: “I would say to the Strada family, I would say to everyone that has lost loved ones, lost friends on 9/11 that I have deep, deep empathy for them. I can't emphasise that enough.
“I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them.”
Mickelson also ducked when asked if he would be responding to the group personally.
He said: “I think I speak for pretty much every American in that we feel the deepest of sympathy and the deepest of empathy for those that have lost loved ones, friends in 9/11.
“It affected all of us, and those that have been directly affected I think, I can't emphasise enough how much empathy I have for them.”
Mickelson is charging ahead with his LIV Tour plans despite being banned from the PGA Tour along with the likes of Dustin Johnston, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
But the 51-year-old – who became the oldest major winner at last year’s PGA Championship – has no regrets about the switch despite the furious backlash.
He admitted the eyes watering sums available played a huge part in him jumping ship.
Mickelson said: “I think that there's an obvious incredible financial commitment, for all the players involved and everyone involved.
“But more than that, there are other factors that with fewer tournaments, it allows me to have more balance in my life. It allows me to do things that are off the golf course I've always wanted to do.
I find that as I prioritise those that are important to me, people that are important to me going forward, this allows me to have more time with them, be more present, and to share more life experiences outside of golf.
"So I feel good about that. I feel good about the efforts I put in to try to give back to the game of golf as well as the Tour, and I'm excited about the opportunity that LIV Golf presents for me and the game of golf going forward.”
