Brandel Chamblee objects to Phil Mickelson’s statement that more PGA Tour players are joining Mickelson’s LIV Golf, saying it is what he “hoped” would happen.
As part of a series of posts on the site formerly known as Twitter this week, the longtime Golf Channel analyst thinks the pros will be in on LIV – however, world No. 3 Jon Rahm “makes me a little nervous.”
These thoughts are the latest in an exchange between Chamblee and Mickelson, the six-time major champion who has become the face of Saudi-backed LIV over the past year and a half. The feud was reignited when Mickelson was competing in LIV’s season-ending event, where a reporter asked him if he thought more Tour players would move to LIV.
In response, Mickelson jumped in to say something.
“Do I think so? » Mickelson said. “No. I knew it would happen.
“When players watch LIV, they want to be a part of it. Everyone here is happy and enjoys what we do, enjoys the team aspect, enjoys each other, enjoys the camaraderie and enjoys playing golf around the world and enjoying all the benefits that come with it. this match.
“So there are a lot of players who see that and want to be a part of it. The question is, you know, how many places are available. There are more players wanting to go than there are places. »
Notably, the idea of Tour players joining LIV is a subplot in the broader story of the proposed deal that would combine the Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which backs LIV . It remains unclear whether the deal will go through and, if so, whether LIV will continue to exist.
Mickelson’s comments this week were shared by Twitter account GOLF.com on Wednesday night – and about two hours later, Chamblee responded.
“He said other stars would join us,” he wrote, “but what he meant was that he HOPED other stars would do the same, just like everyone noticed yourself being on the wrong side of a problem in a catastrophic way, hoping that others will come along. and help them reduce shame about their actions.
Over the next hour, Chamblee responded to two comments on this thread.
and help them reduce the shame of their actions.
One came from long-time pro Jimmy Hanlin, who asked if any more “stars” were joining LIV.
Chamblee responded 16 minutes later.
“It’s inevitable others will join, as I don’t think the money/temptation will go away,” Chamblee wrote, “but there are very few stars that truly make a difference; such as Tiger and Rory and even Rahm… Rahm worries me a bit as he seems open to the idea, but I sense that his deep knowledge of the history of the game and his obvious future place in it will keep him from selling out. I hope that’s the case.”
Notably, no known player has signed on with upstart LIV since February. Rahm, meanwhile, has remained with the PGA Tour and has been mostly neutral in the battle between the sides, saying in May at the PGA Championship: “I never got into the feud. I’ve never had any negative feelings towards any player that went over to LIV.”
On Twitter this week, another user also attacked Chamblee.
“Your obsession with one of the top 5 golfers of all time is creepy,” wrote @botts21. “Your pompous judgment of another business ignorant, but your obsession with the spotlight by virtue signaling is a dead give away you are a fraud. The Mike Ross of golf analysts.”
To that, Chamblee responded 27 minutes later.
“Let’s take this one at a time,” he wrote. “1) Phil ( I assume that’s who you are referring to) is NOT one of the top 5 golfers of all time.
“2) LIV is not “another business” like Pepsi is to Coke. Its more like if the CEO of Pepsi decided to give his sugary drink away for free to compete with Coke… which would raise a lot of questions, pompous, or otherwise. 3) Your accusation of virtue signaling implies that I have an ulterior motive… I do, it’s to expose the players who infer that “all” would take the money, when “all” did NOT TAKE THE MONEY… The fact that Tiger and Rory and Rahm and Spieth and Scheffler and so many others, including, to a lesser appreciated way ZALATORIS, turned the money down says that “all” can not be bought…and that many still care more about their legacy than their bank balance.
“4) I liked Mike Ross… a flawed but interesting character… we are all guilty of the former and all aspire to the latter.”
As of Friday night, Mickelson had yet to respond.
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