Brandel Chamblee shares harsh verdict about Phil Mickelson and ‘his LIV compatriots’ 

Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee shared his harsh opinion on Phil Mickelson and LIV Golf. The American golf analyst is a strong supporter of the PGA Tour. He has been critical of the Saudi league since its inception and is known for sharing his opinion about the series on his social media handle.

On Saturday, June 7, Brandel Chamblee again grabbed the people's attention as he shared a post about LIV Golf and Phil Mickelson. He took a jibe at the series and its players, writing:

"The only time anyone seems to pay any attention to LIV is when Mickelson or Norman make insanely idiotic comments about the skill of LIV players. Phil Mickelson has mastered the public art in which self-righteousness congratulates the celebration."

"He and his LIV compatriots, all of them subject to the dramatic irony of having resigned themselves to play purely for money—not for history or for their respective countries—but purely for money, and now present to virtually no purpose, 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 added.

However, it's not the first time Chamblee has criticized Mickelson. Ever since the six-time major winner signed a deal with the Saudi league, the golf analyst has criticized the decision. The two were embroiled in a controversy on social media back in 2023.

Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson is playing at this week's LIV Golf Virginia event ahead of next week’s US Open.

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Exploring the leaderboard of LIV Golf Virginia 2025 featuring Phil Mickelson

Mickelson started his outing at the 2025 LIV Golf Virginia event with an opening round of 4-under. He then played the next round of 3-under to settle in a tie for fifth place.

The tournament is heading for its finale, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 8. Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri is in the lead after two rounds and is in contention to win the event.

Here is the leaderboard of the 2025 LIV Golf Virginia event after two rounds (only top 20):

• 1. Anirban Lahiri: -11
• T2. Bubba Watson: -9
• T2. Graeme McDowell: -9
• T2. Martin Kaymer: -9
• T5. Phil Mickelson: -7
• T5. Jon Rahm: -7
• T5. Joaquín Niemann: -7
• T5. Bryson DeChambeau: -7
• 9. Carlos Ortiz: -6
• T10. Louis Oosthuizen: -5
• T10. Jason Kokrak: -5
• T10. Talor Gooch: -5
• T10. Thomas Pieters: -5
• T14. Harold Varner III: -4
• T14. Dustin Johnson: -4
• T14. Marc Leishman: -4
• T17. Paul Casey: -3
• T17. Branden Grace: -3
• T17. Adrian Meronk: -3
• T17. Luis Masaveu: -3
• T17. Charl Schwartzel: -3
• T17. Sebastián Muñoz: -3
• T17. Yubin Jang: -3
• T17. Abraham Ancer: -3

Notably, the final round on Sunday will have a shotgun start at 8:05 a.m. ET due to the possibility that the weather might affect the game.