Survivors and the families of victims of the 9/11 terror attacks are planning to protest at Augusta National, after LIV Golf players were given the green light to compete at next year's Masters. Following the formation of the controversial breakaway circuit, it remained up in the air as to whether LIV players would be able to compete at the opening major of the campaign in Georgia next April.
This comes after those who decided to make the Saudi switch were suspended from the PGA Tour earlier this year. However, in the latest chapter of golf's civil war, Augusta bosses have allowed those who are eligible to compete at next year's Masters.
The news was confirmed by Masters chairman Fred Ridley, who revealed the famous tournament is set to 'honour its tradition' in allowing past winners, and those eligible to compete.
The statement said: "Regrettably, recent actions have divided men's professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it. Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honour the tradition of bringing together a pre-eminent field of golfers this coming April.
"Therefore, as invitations are sent this week, we will invite those eligible under our current criteria to compete in the 2023 Masters Tournament. As we have said in the past, we look at every aspect of the Tournament each year, and any modifications or changes to invitation criteria for future Tournaments will be announced in April.
"We have reached a seminal point in the history of our sport. At Augusta National, we have faith that golf, which has overcome many challenges through the years, will endure again." Following the announcement though, representatives of the activist group '9/11 Families United' have called on Ridley to make a u-turn.
Survivors and families of those who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks have spoken openly against the LIV Golf Series since its inception earlier this year due to the circuit's links with the state of Saudi Arabia. Activists have protested outside a number of the breakaway circuit's events throughout 2022, calling on players to cut ties with the mega-money tour.
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They were once again left angered following Ridley's statement on Tuesday, and admitted they will be protesting on the 'door step' of Augusta National following the decision to allow LIV members to compete. "In the aftermath of 9/11, our country agreed we would never forget that horrible day," read the organisation's statement.
"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.”
