Brandel Chamblee Doubles Down: LIV Golf Players Branded “Puppets” as Performance Declines in Majors
Brandel Chamblee, long known for his unfiltered critiques of LIV Golf, has once again taken aim at the breakaway league and its players. In the wake of newly released data highlighting the underwhelming major performances of most LIV signees, the Golf Channel analyst didn’t hold back—labeling the players as “puppets” serving not their own careers, but the interests of the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The Data That Sparked the Fire
PGA Tour data analyst Ron Klos recently shared a telling statistic: of the 18 LIV golfers who have played in at least three majors since switching over, 14 have performed worse compared to their previous three-year average in majors. Only four—Bryson DeChambeau, Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Dean Burmester—showed improvement.
Chamblee, never one to shy away from controversy, quote-posted the data and fired off a scathing rebuke:
Because LIV isn’t concerned with their player’s careers. They are only concerned with how the players can help MBS/PIF obscure their human rights abuses and diversify their economy… the players (puppets) sold their businesses at a discount and LIV simply bought a moment in time. https://t.co/aHjaCr4fC4
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) May 12, 2025
> “Because LIV isn’t concerned with their player’s careers. They are only concerned with how the players can help MBS/PIF obscure their human rights abuses and diversify their economy… the players (puppets) sold their businesses at a discount and LIV simply bought a moment in time.”
Do the Stats Back Him Up?
The recent Masters at Augusta added fuel to Chamblee’s claims. Though Bryson DeChambeau entered as a favorite, he faltered in the final round. Jon Rahm was effectively out of the race by Thursday, and Joaquin Niemann finished a mediocre T29. Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia? Their outings were forgettable. Only Patrick Reed salvaged some pride for LIV with a solo third-place finish.
While DeChambeau’s strong showing at Pinehurst last year challenged Chamblee’s argument, the overall trend—especially in majors—seems to support his narrative. LIV’s format, lack of competitive cutlines, and team-centric structure may not be preparing players for the mental and physical rigor of major championships.
Bigger Than Just Golf?
Chamblee’s criticism isn’t limited to performance. He’s long taken issue with the origins of LIV’s funding, once describing it as “money that comes from the sewer.” To him, LIV isn’t just a rival tour—it’s a distraction from accountability and an erosion of the values that define the sport.
So, Coincidence or Cautionary Tale?
While some LIV players have remained competitive, the broader decline among many suggests more than a coincidence. Whether it’s the league’s structure, reduced scheduling intensity, or psychological complacency, the drop-off in major performances is real—and critics like Chamblee aren’t backing down. For now, the numbers are beginning to echo the message he’s been shouting from the start.