When it comes to critics of LIV Golf, few are more outspoken than golf pundit Brandel Chamblee.
Chamblee has been a constant voice in going against the LIV tour and has not been shy in offering up his opinion on matters, albeit those opinions often spill into PGA Tour matters as well.
Indeed, Chamblee slammed the Saudi-backed tour right at the start of the year, while Chamblee has also lamented PGA Tour decisions as well.
Chamblee also slammed the Team USA Ryder Cup payment decision as he continued to voice his opinions on social media.
And now, in offering up a review of 2024, Chamblee has taken aim at Jon Rahm and LIV again.
Brandel Chamblee claims Jon Rahm has ‘self-delusion’
Taking to his X account to sum up 2024 in golf, Chamblee mentioned the situation with Rahm and his moving to the LIV tour.
However, in a dig at the Spaniard, Chamblee has claimed that Rahm is not the needle move he might think he is.
“This past year, after Jon Rahm’s defection to LIV in late 2023, the dominos were supposed to fall, forcing the hand of the PGA Tour, a deal between the two tours was presumed to be imminent,” Chamblee wrote.
“Now as a golfer, Rahm has many talents but none seem to exceed his gift for self-delusion. Turns out he was not the impetus to change, although Trump’s election is likely to have more of an impact in that regard, than Rahm’s defection.
“So, the year in professional golf comes to a close much as it began, in limbo, but with many of the critics still beating the same worn out drums”
What Jon Rahm has said about his move to LIV Golf
It’s no secret that Jon Rahm made a ton of money from the move to LIV and at the time, with suggestions of Rahm earning around $450m.
However, while many who have moved to LIV have towed the ‘growing the game’ line, Rahm has at least had the decency to admit money was a factor.
“I don’t want to skip through this point cause there’s no point, there’s a big change in the way the golfers get compensated,” Rahm said in an interview with ESPN.
“I’d be lying if it wasn’t a big part of it. In a nutshell, I’m getting paid more to play the same sport and have more time. I don’t know about most people but that sounds good to me.”
Clearly, then, Rahm was more than happy to admit he took the money albeit he did admit he was nervous about the reaction.
“I think my biggest concern was a little bit of negative media backlash. The way I see it, if you want to, let’s say, improve your position, I think you’re free to go to job interviews,” Rahm added.
“I have the right to do what I think is best for myself and my family. Period. I’ve said it before, as a father and as a husband I have a duty to set my family up as best as possible. Not that we weren’t, we’re extremely privileged people, I’m aware of that, but it’s my duty.”
So, while Chamblee can sit from afar and criticise, it seems Rahm is happy with his decision and after winning the individual title on LIV in his first year, nobody can really say he’s not been a success.
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