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The PGA Tour last week suspended Mickelson and other members who
joined LIV Golf, with Commissioner Jay Monahan saying they had
"decided to turn their backs" on the tour.
Last week, advocacy group 9/11 Families United sent an open
letter to American Mickelson and others who joined LIV Golf,
condemning their participation.
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers on Sept. 11 were from Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom has long denied a role in the attacks, which killed
nearly 3,000 people.
"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," Mickelson told reporters on Monday ahead
of this week's U.S. Open.
"I have the deepest of sympathy and empathy for them."
Terry Strada, the national chair of 9/11 Families United,
responded in a statement on Monday, saying Mickelson and his
fellow LIV golfers "should be ashamed.
"They are helping the Saudi regime 'sportswash' their reputation
in return for tens of millions of dollars," he said.
'ONE OR BOTH'
Mickelson was a long-time fan favourite but faced a barrage of
disapproval after remarks were made public earlier this year in
which he criticised the Saudi government for its "horrible"
human rights record but said he would use the prospect of LIV
Golf to gain economic leverage over the PGA Tour.
Mickelson apologised for his remarks and announced in February
that he was taking time away from the game, opting out of the
Masters and his title defence at the PGA Championship.
Saudi Arabia's government denies accusations of human rights
abuses.
Mickelson also suggested he was hopeful that he could compete on
the PGA Tour again, despite his suspension.
"(I'm) very appreciative of the many memories, opportunities,
experiences, friendships, relationships PGA Tour has provided,
and those are going to last -- those will last a lifetime, but
I'm hopeful that I'll have a chance to create more," he said.
Mickelson, who has finished runner-up six times at the U.S. Open
and will get another shot at completing the career Grand Slam on
his 30th attempt at the Country Club in Brookline, said he
respected those who have "strong opinions."
The American said he planned to compete in next month's Open
Championship at St Andrews and would prefer to have the option
to play "one or both" tours.
"I gave as much back to the PGA Tour and the game of golf as I
could throughout my 30 years here and through my accomplishments
on the course I've earned a lifetime membership," he said.
"I intend to keep that and then choose going forward which
events to play and not."
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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