Getty Image
Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee has been outspoken in his disapproval of PGA Tour competitor LIV. Since its launch in the summer of 2021, the television personality has been an adamant adversary at every turn.
He’s been vocal about former PGA players who’ve agreed to massive deals with the Saudi-backed league without questioning where that cash is coming from.
His criticisms haven’t slowed LIV’s initiative of poaching top PGA Tour talent, though, with Jon Rahm being the latest big fish.
The third-ranked golfer in the world, Rahm had made about $38M on the Tour over his last three seasons. He won the Masters last April and was one of golf’s hottest names.
Less than a year later, he finds himself suiting up with the enemy.
He officially moved to LIV Golf in December; a decision he admits was influenced heavily by money. His contract details aren’t well-known, though online rumors hint at the deal falling in the $300-$600M range.
As one would imagine, Brandel Chamblee wasn’t too fond of the departure.
He took the moment to be critical this week following Rahm’s latest LIV tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Replying to a post showing an empty course at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, Chamblee sarcastically wrote, “But his family will be better off.”
But his family will be better off. https://t.co/0TgH6ZCOlw
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) March 4, 2024
The crowd (or lack thereof) offers a much different scene that what’s typically experienced on the PGA Tour. While they’ve been able to successfully poach highly rated PGA stars, LIV is still looking for the best way to boost viewership and in-tournament attendance.
Rahm didn’t seem all that bothered by the small crowd size, finishing fifth on the leaderboard (-11) in the three-day event.
Chamblee also took aim at Anthony Kim.
Kim made his return to professional golf over the weekend, and while it didn’t go quite as planned, many were excited to see him back on the course following a 10-year hiatus.
Chamblee was not one of those people.
He ripped into Kim for choosing LIV over the PGA Tour, the league where his initial stardom began.
In a series of online replies, the Golf Channel analyst blasted AK’s debut at Jeddah.
He chose to come back, not for competitive reasons, but because a dictatorial murderer paid him millions because he thought he could use his “celebrity” to help launder his murderous reputation… but let’s call his comeback a success. https://t.co/U2onSkvRgz
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) March 4, 2024
He doubled down on his criticism while responding to golf fans on social media.
“He could have earned his way back onto the PGA Tour… the place where he originally earned his celebrity status, but he chose the easier rout.”
“Well, first of all, he’d have to EARN his way back to the PGA Tour. Because it is based on merit not obfuscation.”
Brandel Chamblee is not a fan of LIV Golf, and he’s made that abundantly clear. You can expect the next PGA Tour defector to receive the same treatment as Rahm and Kim.