Bin Laden and Saudi money: this was the 'hunt' for Phil Mickelson before the US Open

In just a few months,

has gone from being the most charismatic player, an idol of the masses, to being the most hated athlete in the United States.

The reason?

Jumping ship the PGA Tour and jumping on Saudi petrodollars.

The man who at the age of 50 became the oldest in history to win a

faces this week his only pending issue,

, the only Grand Slam that is missing from his showcase.

.

The noisy Boston crowd isn't going to make his return to the

Even if it's the week of your birthday.

The atmosphere has heated up much more after the embarrassing press conference on Monday, the closest thing to a trial with a sentence.

Phil Mickelson is already on the wall.

American journalists had been sharpening their feathers for nearly four months and it was time to see each other's faces for the first time, since the American left-hander emerged as the first rebel to support the Saudis in their project materialized a few days ago in London,

.

It was clear that they will never forgive Mickelson and from the first to the last question, all the questions sounded with an undertone of reproach and guilt.

After the first two courtesy questions from the moderator, came the first cruel knife:

- "He has been criticized by many people," began the journalist, who immediately

.

Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in the horrific attack that killed nearly 3,000 people were from Saudi Arabia.

"You are now a partner of these people and you seem delighted with their business," the journalist asserted.

- I've read everything, do you have any questions? - Mickelson replied with a very serious gesture.

The press conference continued in the same inquisitive tone, while the North American player, visibly uncomfortable, was weathering the interrogation in a monosyllabic way.

The press insisted on two more occasions on the September 11 attacks and Phil had to justify himself

, he repeated on several occasions.

"They launder their reputation in exchange for millions"

Terry Strada, widow of one of the World Trade Center victims and president of 9/11 Families United, issued a statement saying Mickelson and his fellow LIV Golfers "should be ashamed."

she said.

The next attack Mickelson received was alluding to the legacy of a sport like golf and how by joining LIV, the American has prioritized money over tradition.

"

. My family and I have enjoyed golf through the PGA Tour and I am very grateful. During all this time I have worked very hard to contribute to this whole show. I've always tried to do my best, but now I'm excited about the opportunity that LIV Golf presents to me and to the game of golf."

Regarding the ban on playing on the PGA Tour, Phil commented that he respects the decision, although he does not share it.

he argued.

Nor did the journalists lack time to dig into their personal problems.

. "

Coinciding with the explosion of the Saudi conflict, an unauthorized biography of Mickelson came to light and it exposed the American's problems with gambling, where it was reported that Mickelson had lost more than 40 million dollars in the last 10 years.

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