Brandel Chamblee Shares Harsh Verdict About Phil Mickelson and ‘His LIV Compatriots’
On June 7, 2025, golf analyst Brandel Chamblee once again stirred the pot with a scathing critique of Phil Mickelson and the LIV Golf series, reigniting a long-standing feud that has captivated the golfing world. Known for his unapologetic support of the PGA Tour and his vocal disapproval of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, Chamblee took to social media to express his disdain, targeting Mickelson and his fellow LIV players with sharp words that have sparked heated debates among fans and analysts alike. His comments, posted on X, described LIV events as akin to “watching a race of boxcars and being told they are F1 race cars,” while singling out Mickelson for what he called “insanely idiotic comments” about the skill of LIV players. This latest salvo underscores the ongoing divide in professional golf and Chamblee’s unwavering stance against the controversial league.
Chamblee’s criticism focused heavily on Mickelson, a six-time major champion and one of LIV Golf’s most prominent figures since joining the league in June 2022 for a reported $200 million. The analyst accused Mickelson and his “LIV compatriots” of prioritizing financial gain over the sport’s traditions, arguing that their decision to join the Saudi-funded venture reflects a pursuit of money rather than legacy or national pride. “He and his LIV compatriots, all of them subject to the dramatic irony of having resigned themselves to play purely for money—not for history or for their respective countries—but purely for money, and now present to virtually no purpose,” Chamblee wrote. He further suggested that their presence in major championships carries a “sense of urgency” that contrasts with the perceived lack of competitive intensity at LIV events, which he has long criticized for their 54-hole, no-cut format and team-based structure.
The feud between Chamblee and Mickelson is not new. Their public clashes date back to at least 2022, when Chamblee labeled Mickelson a “highly paid ventriloquist puppet” for his role in promoting LIV Golf, accusing him of aligning with a regime he once called “scary motherfuckers” in a 2021 interview. Mickelson’s decision to join LIV, along with other high-profile players like Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm, has been a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from Chamblee, who views the league as a sportswashing effort by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to obscure its human rights record. In 2023, the two traded barbs on Twitter, with Mickelson calling Chamblee “soft” and Chamblee retaliating by inviting him to a debate on Golf Channel’s “Live From” set—a challenge Mickelson declined, citing scheduling conflicts.
Chamblee’s recent remarks come at a time when LIV Golf is gaining traction, with players like Mickelson performing well in recent events. At the 2025 LIV Golf Virginia event, Mickelson posted rounds of 4-under and 3-under, tying for fifth place as the tournament headed into its final round on June 8. Despite such performances, Chamblee remains unmoved, arguing that LIV players’ success in majors is overshadowed by their diminished competitive drive in the less rigorous LIV format. He has previously claimed that Mickelson’s actions have caused “irreparable damage” to golf, even suggesting in 2023 that he should be removed from the World Golf Hall of Fame for his role in destabilizing the PGA Tour.
The golfing community’s response to Chamblee’s comments has been polarized. Some fans echo his sentiments, praising the PGA Tour’s competitive integrity and viewership numbers, which recently surpassed LIV’s at events like the 2025 Players Championship. Others defend Mickelson, arguing that he has brought attention to issues within the PGA Tour, such as player compensation, and that LIV’s family-friendly events offer a fresh alternative. One fan on X remarked, “Say what you want, but Phil accomplished his goal,” suggesting that Mickelson’s move to LIV has forced the PGA Tour to adapt, as evidenced by the ongoing merger talks between the PGA Tour, PIF, and the DP World Tour.
Interestingly, Chamblee’s stance has shown slight evolution. In early 2025, after a conversation with former President Donald Trump, he acknowledged that a deal with the PIF might be necessary to stabilize professional golf, given LIV’s financial resources and persistence. However, this pragmatic view has not softened his criticism of Mickelson or LIV’s motives. As the golf world awaits the outcome of the PGA Tour-PIF merger, Chamblee’s outspokenness continues to fuel discussions about the sport’s future. Whether Mickelson and his LIV peers are seen as pioneers or profiteers, their choices have undeniably reshaped golf’s landscape, with Chamblee serving as the loudest voice of dissent.
