The LIV Golf player criticized Jon Rahm for having “sold his career out” with the £450 million transfer.
Speaking out in the wake of Jon Rahm’s contentious transfer to LIV Golf, which has made him one of the highest-paid sportsmen in history, golf analyst Brandel Chamblee
Brandel Chamblee, a professional golfer who is now a pundit, has questioned Jon Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf and criticized the Spaniard for retracting earlier remarks.
Rahm signed a big contract to play in LIV Golf, becoming the most recent player to do so after a successful PGA Tour career. After becoming pro in 2016, the 29-year-old won the U.S. Open in 2021 and the Masters Tournament in 2023.
His decision to join LIV in the midst of the opposing organizations’ pending merger agreement has elicited a variety of responses, including harsh condemnation from both pundits and players alike. And former PGA Tour golfer Brandel Chamblee has been the latest to hit out at his decision.
Chamblee responded to the news by criticizing Rahm’s choice in an interview with Golf Central. “I believe that a significant portion of the professional game is going through something akin to Stockholm Syndrome because of their involvement with LIV,” Chamblee remarked.
“You consider Jon Rahm’s previous statements and the striking discrepancy between what he stated and what he repeatedly hinted at,” he continued. “He found this to be more convenient to do. It’s also obvious that he gave up on his career.
Chamblee’s remarks might be a reference to Rahm’s earlier declarations, in which he acknowledged that “my heart is with the PGA Tour.” In addition, the 29-year-old acknowledged at the 2022 U.S. Open: I’ve never really played the game of golf for monetary reasons.”
Rahm, who signed a contract for over £450 million, unexpectedly conceded that financial considerations played a role in his decision to join LIV. He stated at the press conference that followed the announcement, “The money is great, it’s wonderful, but what I’ve said before is true.”
“I don’t play golf for financial gain. I play golf because I enjoy the game and the game itself, but I also play it because I have a responsibility to my family as a husband, father, and family man to provide them with the best opportunities and resources available.
However, my intention with this is to improve golf in whichever way possible and to develop the game. Although I have ambition, I don’t have greed. I understand that I can’t have everything, so I’ll have to give up some things, but for now, that seems like one I can live without.”
Rejecting Rahm’s assertions that he wants to expand golf, Chamblee thinks the PGA Tour won’t face too many long-term difficulties as a result of his leaving.
“Will Jon Rahm’s involvement increase LIV’s viewership? most likely will, and to the extent that it does, it will cause some minor discomfort. But it’s not devastating, in my opinion,” he remarked.
