To 9/11 families, Saudi-funded event is ‘another atrocity’
BEDMINSTER, N.J. — A somber and tearful group of protesters stood between two American flags behind a public library, in stark contrast to the festivities at a golf tournament 3 miles down the road. They made their statements and promoted their cause, but declined to take the fight to the gates of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.
“We are pleased that people are refocusing attention on this issue,” said Jay Winuk, one of the protest’s organizers. “There is no reason to go over to the scene where yet another atrocity is taking place.”
The group, a band of family members of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, spoke vehemently against the Saudibacked LIV Golf tournament being held this weekend at the club owned by former President Donald Trump.
The group, 9/11 Justice, seeks to bring Saudi Arabian government officials, whom they assert supported the terrorists, to judgment. They are infuriated that Trump once agreed that the Saudi government was responsible, but has changed his tune, they said, to cash in on Saudi efforts to sanitize the nation’s global image through sports.
“How much money does it take to turn your back on your country, on the American people?” said Juliette Scauso, who was 4 years old when her
father, firefighter Dennis Scauso, perished in the attacks.
For days, the LIV golfers and Trump have defended their decisions to align with the breakaway tour and accept millions of dollars from the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which is overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Critics of the tour say it is another example of the Saudis “sportswashing” atrocities attributed to them — supporting
the 9/11 terrorists, killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi and oppressing women and members of the LGBTQ community.
Trump, who as a presidential candidate in 2016 blamed the Saudis for the 9/11 attacks, said Thursday that “nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately.”
Friday, the protesters had their chance to respond to both Trump and to the golfers.
Many accused the golfers of cowardice for proclaiming sympathy with their cause while still accepting LIV Golf ’s money.
“You are taking a stand that you agree with the actions of Saudi Arabia or, just as bad, that you are so incredibly greedy and callous that you really don’t care about these atrocities,” Scauso said.
The organizers came to the protest armed with copies of declassified FBI documents, which they say establish a clear connection between 12 Saudi government officials and the terrorists in the months leading up to the attacks.
“It’s simple,” said Tim Frolich, who was in the south tower on 9/11. “The Saudis did it. They plotted it, they funded it, and now they are trying to distract every one of those things with a golf tournament 50 miles away from ground zero. It’s deplorable.”
Ko fires 65 again, leads Scottish Open
Lydia Ko shot a second straight 7-under 65 to lead by two strokes after two rounds of the Scottish Open on the LPGA Tour.
Ko, who finished strongly at the Evian Championship last week to tie for third place, has continued her good form in perfect conditions over the Dundonald Links and remains bogey-free heading into the weekend.
To start her back nine, from the first hole, the No. 4-ranked New Zealander had three birdies in four holes before making eagle at No. 5. She then birdied her last hole to move to 14 under overall.
This week should prove good preparation for next week’s Women’s British Open at Muirfield.
American golfer Lilia Vu shot 67 and was alone in second place. She said she felt at home on the links because it reminded her of her home club, Shady Canyon.
Eun-hee Ji of South Korea was in third place on 11 under after a 64, while Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai (65) and France’s Celine Boutier (69) were in a share of fourth place a shot further back.
Crocker shoots 66, up one at Hero Open
American golfer Sean Crocker retained his onestroke lead at the Hero Open after shooting 6-under 66 in the second round of the European tour event.
The star of Day 2, however, was Ewen Ferguson after the Scot made 11 birdies — including seven in eight holes on the back nine — in a bogeyfree 61 at Fairmont St. Andrews.
Crocker backed up his opening-round 63 and was 15 under for the tournament as he goes for a wire-to-wire win.