Brandel Chamblee outlines ‘fair punishment’ for returning LIV golfers

Some of the PGA Tour’s biggest names have agreed that LIV golfers shouldn’t have an easy route back to their old domain. 

Rickie Fowler said there should be no ‘direct road’ back for players who wish to return to the PGA Tour as the US circuit aims to strike a peace deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) bankrolling the LIV enterprise.

Justin Thomas concurred, admitting he would have a ‘hard time’ welcoming back LIV players and they shouldn’t be reintegrated to the tour ‘that easily.’

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler also stressed there should be a ‘caveat‘ for those who took lucrative signing fees and LIV and wish to tee it up back on the PGA Tour.

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But what should that caveat be? Should LIV players be punished for failing to stay loyal to the PGA Tour? Or, as Rory McIlroy claimed, should the PGA Tour ‘let them back’ without punishment?

Brandel Chamblee thinks he has the solution.

Chamblee, who has long been vehemently against the influx of Saudi money into golf, has outlined how his former circuit could eventually allow LIV players back if the game becomes unified again.

“They should have to sit out for a period of time,” the Golf Channel analyst wrote on X. “Pay fines and when they come back, support/play in only non signature events for as long as they played for LIV.”

They should have to sit out for a period of time, pay fines and when they come back, support/play in only non signature events for as long as they played for LIV. https://t.co/GLf9WNrJwn

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) February 8, 2024

Chamblee’s view comes as protracted negotiations continue over a peace deal that aims to unite golf’s warring factions.

At this stage, it is unclear what the landscape of the elite male game will look like and whether the PGA Tour and DP World Tour will continue to coexist with the fledgling LIV series.

Jon Rahm admitted this week he was “emotional” to miss the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open near his home in Arizona as he prepared for his second LIV Golf start in Las Vegas.

The Masters champion, like his other LIV colleagues, is currently suspended indefinitely from the Tour, but is optimistic that he will be able to return to some tournaments.

“I’m hoping that in the near future I can be back playing some of those events,” Rahm said. “I would certainly love to go back and play some of them. 

“If there’s ever a way back and a way where we can play, even if it’s as an invite, I will take it. Like I said, there’s certain events that are special to me that I would still love to support.”