The unusual structure of LIV Golf—54-hole competitions, shotgun starts, and small fields—has long drawn criticism. It is criticized for lacking the PGA Tour’s level of competition. PGA Tour mainstay Scottie Scheffler won his third major championship with a calm effort at the 2025 PGA Championship, whereas LIV stars Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau struggled in the latter stages. This event revived the controversy.
Without holding back, Golf Channel expert Brandel Chamblee, in a recent episode, blamed Rahm and DeChambeau’s difficulties on their involvement in LIV Golf. Both fans and analysts have broadly agreed with his statements.
Brandel Chamblee’s critique: LIV Golf’s Competitive Shortcomings
Brandel Chamblee delivered a scathing review shortly after the last round at Quail Hollow. He claimed that players are not adequately prepared for the demands of major championships by the LIV Golf format. “It matters where you play to be sharp, to be at your best, to test yourself against the best, which they’re not playing against the best week in and week out,” Chamblee said. He underlined that Scottie Scheffler performed well when it counted most, especially on holes 16, 17, and 18, while Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm did not.
#SOUNDING OFF — Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee wasted no time in blaming LIV Golf for being the reason that Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau didn’t perform down the stretch at the PGA.
“It matters where you play to be sharp, to be at your best, to test yourself… pic.twitter.com/IuJYHKIrYK
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 19, 2025
The way Jon Rahm performed seems to support Chamblee’s assessment. John Rahm struggled with a bogey and two double bogeys in the last three holes after responding mid-round with birdies on holes 8, 10, and 11 to tie Scottie Scheffler at 9-under. He went from second to a tie for ninth place after his 2-over 73 round. In the final stretch, Bryson DeChambeau, who had the lead after 15 holes, lost three strokes, including his tee shot into the water on hole 17, dropping to 5-under-par.
Scottie Scheffler, on the other hand, showed tenacity and poise by finishing with a score of -11, five strokes clear of his closest rivals. His capacity to stay focused and perform well under duress demonstrated the competitive advantage developed by frequently playing against elite opponents on the PGA Tour. Going beyond Chamblee’s criticism, the golf community’s reaction has been mainly positive, reiterating worries about how LIV Golf affects player performance.
Fan reactions: Echoing Chamblee’s concerns
The golf community has mostly supported Chamblee’s criticism, with supporters of different platforms agreeing. “Seems like the correct take to me,” said one admirer, aptly supporting Chamblee’s conclusion. Another clarified, “Ok, he’s so right, Rory, Xander, JT, ‘Jordo,’ Finau, OOOhhhBerg, Hideki, Morikawa, and damned near everybody else was more prepared and in rhythm.” This emphasizes how PGA Tour players compete consistently and maintain a demanding schedule, which may help them prepare for important events. With rounds of 74, 69, 72, and 72, McIlroy finished the 2025 PGA Championship tied for 47th place with a 3-over-par total, while the reigning champion Schauffele finished tied for 28th at 1-under-par. On the other hand, Sergio Garcia finished with a T67 and was last among the LIV Golf players who made the cut, while Tyrrell Hatton and David Puig both finished at T60 after struggling in the final round.
A third admirer said, “He’s 100% right. Scottie is on another level and has ice in his veins. Much like Tiger,” drawing a comparison to golf superstars. This analogy highlights Scheffler’s mental toughness and clutch play, which are qualities sometimes linked to Tiger Woods. A further advocate recognized the merits of Chamblee’s argument, stating that “Chamblee’s point about competition level is somewhat valid.” This comment indicates an understanding of how the competitive landscapes of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf differ.
With typical tee times and full cuts after 36 holes, the PGA Tour’s 72-hole stroke-play events span four days and encourage constant pressure and competition. LIV Golf, on the other hand, has a 54-hole format with shotgun starts, no cuts, and small fields, which modifies player preparation and lowers the level of competition.
Lastly, a fan highlighted LIV Golf’s format’s shortcomings by saying, “He’s not wrong. Brandel is speaking facts. 54-hole shotgun exhibitions don’t do anything to prepare these guys.” This sentiment encapsulates the worry that players may not be sufficiently prepared for the challenges of major tournaments under LIV Golf’s framework. All of these responses point to a general agreement among fans that the LIV Golf format would make it more difficult for players to get ready for high-stakes competitions. The recurring message is that playing against elite opponents on a regular basis—as seen on the PGA Tour—is essential to staying composed and sharp under duress. The performances of LIV golf players in upcoming majors will be extensively examined as the controversy rages, possibly affecting opinions about the league’s capacity to compete.
The post Fans Agree With Brandel Chamblee’s Harsh Verdict on Jon Rahm’s Fallout at PGA Championship Final Round appeared first on EssentiallySports.