Skip to main content

Phil Mickelson, Brandel Chamblee exchange harsh insults amid LIV Golf drama with surprising ending

The 6-time major winner and Golf Channel analysts traded blows once again on Twitter with a twist.

Ryder Cup, Phil Mickelson, Brandel Chamblee
Ryder Cup, Phil Mickelson, Brandel Chamblee
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Phil Mickelson is interviewed by the Golf Channel during Ryder Cup Captain Selection Press Conference at the PGA of America on February 24, 2015.
Photo by Megan Blank/The PGA of America via Getty Images
Jack Milko has been playing golf since he was five years old. He has yet to record a hole-in-one, but he did secure an M.A. in Sports Journalism from St. Bonaventure University.

Phil Mickelson loves having a thrill, especially when arguing against LIV Golf dissidents.

This past week, those within golf media have debated whether or not Brooks Koepka, the first LIV player to win a major championship, should play in the Ryder Cup this fall.

Mickelson entered this conversation after Claude Harmon III, Brooks Koepka’s swing coach, accused Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee of being a paid actor when he denounced LIV golf.

In doing so, Mickelson responded to a Golfweek article citing Chamblee’s response—a 538-word soliloquy arguing against the Saudi-backed LIV Tour:

“Poor Brandel. He can rip apart me and countless others but as soon as someone shows his ignorance he can’t handle it. He’s softer now than he was as a player,” Mickelson tweeted.

The intriguing tension did not end there.

Chamblee, who sits on Golf Channel’s Live From set with former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and host Rich Lerner, has vehemently denounced LIV and its beneficiaries ever since its inception.

Nonetheless, in response to Mickelson’s jab, Chamblee questioned Mickelson’s toughness and invited him to come on the Live From set at next month’s U.S. Open, which will take place at the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club:

Chamblee did not hold back, citing some juicy details from Mickelson’s past.

In Alan Shipnuck’s biography on Mickelson, titled “Phil: The Rip-Roaring and Unauthorized Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar,” Shipnuck notes that Mickelson referred to the Saudi Arabian government as “scary motherf***ers.”

Within this book, Shipnuck also mentions Billy Walters, who had connections with Mickelson through various encounters but was arrested for insider trading in 2017.

A book on Walters’ life will be released this August.

If Mickelson came on Live From the U.S. Open, that would produce appointment television for the entire golf world. Chamblee and McGinley would not hold back, nor would Mickelson, as a debate full of fireworks would be the only guarantee.

Yet, Chamblee put this discussion to bed last night by blocking Mickelson on Twitter:

Perhaps Chamblee grew agitated with Mickelson. Or he is rising above the noise and choosing to ignore it. Either way, a Mickelson appearance on the Golf Channel set at the U.S. Open next month would be wildly entertaining and, frankly, much needed.

More in Golf

Golf
Rory McIlroy in U.S. Open contention after first roundRory McIlroy in U.S. Open contention after first round
Golf

Rory McIlroy is well in contention after the first round of the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Deloitte is helping to make the rules of golf more accessible and fan-friendlyDeloitte is helping to make the rules of golf more accessible and fan-friendly
Golf

The rules of golf are well on display at the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jordan Spieth is ready for the U.S. OpenJordan Spieth is ready for the U.S. Open
Golf

Jordan Spieth is as ready as he can be for the U.S. Open

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Jason Day helps stories to visualize successJason Day helps stories to visualize success
Golf

Jason Day has a unique approach to “stories” during his rounds

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
T-Mobile made the U.S. Women’s Open even betterT-Mobile made the U.S. Women’s Open even better
Golf

The U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera was a huge success

By RJ Ochoa
Golf
Brian Urlacher views the ACC as celebrity golf’s majorBrian Urlacher views the ACC as celebrity golf’s major
Golf

The American Century Championship is basically a major for celebrity golfers

By RJ Ochoa

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...