Brandel Chamblee ‘worried’ about big name joining LIV Golf

Brandel Chamblee has expressed his concern that Jon Rahm could ditch the PGA Tour and join the LIV Golf League.

The Golf Channel analyst was responding to Phil Mickelson’s claim that more PGA Tour players are set to join the Saudi-backed series in the coming months.

Mickelson was adamant before LIV’s $50m team championship in Miami on Wednesday that demand is now outweighing supply with regards to new players competing on the fledgling circuit.

“The reality is, I’ve been fielding calls, as we all have, from players who are free agents to PGA Tour players who want to come over,” the six-time major champion said.

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“The question is, you know, how many spots are available? There are a lot more players that want to come than there are spots.”

Chamblee quickly attempted to shut down Mickelson’s assertion, writing on X: “He says other stars will join, but what he means is, he HOPES other stars will, just like all those do who find themselves catastrophically on the wrong side of an issue, hoping that others will come along and help them ameliorate the embarrassment of their actions.”

Then, when asked whether more stars will join LIV, Chamblee name-checked the current Masters champion.

“It’s inevitable others will join, as I don’t think the money/temptation will go away, but there are very few stars that truly make a difference; such as Tiger and Rory and even Rahm…” he wrote.

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“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.”

Despite Chamblee’s concerns, Rahm has continued to reiterate his loyalty to the PGA Tour and lack of interest in joining LIV throughout the rival league’s second season.

“I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf,” the Spaniard recently said on the Golf Sin Etiquetas Podcast.

“I never liked the format. And I always have a good time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in the practice rounds of majors.

“Phil respects my decision, and I respect his. Mickelson has told me that I have no reason to go play for LIV, and he has told me that multiple times.”