Mickelson’s Failed Prediction and Awkward Apology
Phil Mickelson’s reputation took another hit this season following a failed prediction about World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Back in March, Mickelson boldly claimed that Scheffler wouldn’t win any event in 2025 before the Ryder Cup. That prediction quickly unraveled when Scheffler clinched victory at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson. Embarrassed, Mickelson backtracked on social media, saying, “So I might of been off on that one. Congrats to Scottie on a great performance.” While fans were quick to mock the comment, golf analyst Brandel Chamblee took it a step further.
Chamblee Calls Out Mickelson and LIV Golf
During a recent fan Q&A, Chamblee, never shy to critique Mickelson, slammed both the golfer and LIV Golf’s format. Responding to a fan’s question about LIV, Chamblee described watching LIV events as “like watching a race of boxcars and being told they are F1 race cars.” He added that public interest in the league usually spikes only when Mickelson or Greg Norman make “insanely idiotic comments.”
Chamblee criticized Mickelson’s self-promotion and painted LIV Golf as a venture driven solely by money, not legacy or national pride. “Their presence in major championships is likely attended by a sense of urgency—the exact opposite, no doubt, of the lack of urgency at LIV events,” he said, emphasizing the absence of true competitive spirit.
Long History of Clashes
This isn’t the first time Chamblee has called out Mickelson. Back in 2023, Chamblee blasted the six-time major winner for prioritizing his personal gain over the tradition and values of the PGA Tour. He praised Rory McIlroy for rejecting LIV’s lucrative offer out of “conscience and character,” contrasting it with what he saw as Mickelson’s purely financial motivation.
Golf Fans Take Sides
Fans have joined in on the criticism, especially in light of LIV Golf’s struggles to remain relevant. One fan noted that no high-profile PGA Tour players have joined LIV since Jon Rahm’s move more than a year ago, adding that the league’s appeal is fading as its biggest names age. Another pointed out that older players like Lee Westwood, Anthony Kim, and Mito Pereira are now facing possible relegation, while veterans like Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter could be traded or cut entirely.
Others argue that Mickelson’s move to LIV has cost him dearly—not just in terms of public respect, but in tangible ways like lost endorsements and exclusion from PGA Tour events. One fan said, “He would have been NBC’s lead analyst and a Ryder Cup captain. But now? History won’t be kind.”
Off-Course Controversies Still Linger
Mickelson’s legacy also continues to be clouded by off-course issues, including revelations about massive gambling losses—allegedly totaling over $1 billion. According to sports bettor Billy Walters, Mickelson even placed a $400,000 bet on Team USA during the 2012 Ryder Cup, a move widely seen as irresponsible for a competing player.
Is LIV a Retirement League?
Fans increasingly view LIV as a less serious alternative to traditional tours. Comments like “a bunch of retired golfers playing for fun” and “a retirement league” have become common. Many say they rarely watch LIV intentionally, instead catching glimpses while channel surfing.
LIV Golf’s format—shorter 54-hole tournaments, 54 players, and a 14-event season—has failed to capture the consistent engagement LIV hoped for. While its team format was meant to revolutionize the sport, it has yet to connect meaningfully with fans or deliver long-term impact.
Legacy in Question
As Mickelson navigates the consequences of his choices, the debate continues: Is he still the legend who transformed golf, or has his move to LIV forever altered how history will remember him? For many, the answer depends on whether his contributions to the game outweigh the controversies now shadowing his name.