Phil Mickelson: "Insane argument", "logical fallacy": Fans divided over Brandel Chamblee's dig at Phil Mickelson

Phil Mickelson appeared for an interview with Joe Pompliano recently where he talked about why he believed LIV Golf would be successful. Golf commentator Brandel Chamblee replied to those claims, speaking out against his opinion.

Phil Mickelson had compared fan experiences in a PGA Tour event and LIV Golf when telling Pompliano his "number one reason" why the latter would be successful. He claimed that fans would have a hard time silencing young kids at a PGA Tour while due to music playing at LIV Golf events, golfers don't get disturbed by slight noises coming from the audience.

Spectators at a golf event need to walk a lot to catch all the action since the course is spread across acres. LIV Golf features Fan Zones and Kid Zones, where according to Mickelson, fans could go and relax for a bit. He further added that since screens are set up there, they can still keep a tab on the game.

Phil Mickelson claimed that due to these reasons, fans will get a better experience at a LIV Golf event than a PGA Tour event. He believed that a better "feeling" and fan experience would be why the former would be successful.

However, golf commentator Brandel Chamblee has criticized his statement. On Sunday, he reshared a post from Golf.com on X saying:

"So Phil says kids get a better experience at events funded by a murderous regime than at events funded by a philanthropic organization… got it."

Several fans came in support of Chamblee as they commented on his post with their own views about the matter.

"I love Phil but truly an insane argument to make here," one fan said.

"He’s just so far far off. What happened to Phil?Used to seem like a grounded guy with a happy go lucky kind of attitude, at least what we fans saw. He seems 180° from that on what little I see now. Of course big money &/or debt can change ppl." one fan commented.

"PGA has most of what he says as well, except the ridiculous blaring music. And the basis for his answer, being fear from parents, is ridiculous. He loves to be the smartest guy in the room with his insights." one fan said.

However, some fans also spoke in support of Phil Mickelson claiming that experience had no relation whatsoever with funding with some even saying that LIV Golf indeed did provide a better experience.

"Brandel, c'mon, I'm in your corner at least 95% of the time, but your post is a logical fallacy. The quality of an "experience" is not necessarily dependent on the source of the funding." another added.

"If you gave a kid two slices of pizza and asked which they liked better, they won’t factor in the history of the chef, Brandel" one fan wrote.

"I mean he ain't wrong, I've taken my son to 2 tour events and 1 LIV event. He had a much better time at LIV and I also had a great time at LIV while at the Tour events I was stressed out the whole time." another expressed.

When did Phil Mickelson join LIV Golf?

Phil Mickelson joined LIV Golf in its debut season in 2022 and has been one of the biggest advocates for the league. 'Lefty' had reportedly received $200M as his signing amount which was one of the priciest back then. He is also the captain of HyFlyers GC.

Here's his 2025 LIV Golf schedule:

Feb 6-8: SAUDI ARABIA
Riyadh Golf Club, Saudi Arabia
Feb 14-16: AUSTRALIA
The Grange Golf Club, Grange, Australia
Mar 7-9: HONG KONG
Hong Kong Golf Club at Fanling, Hong Kong
Mar 14-16: SINGAPORE
Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore
April 4-6: MIAMI
Trump National Doral, Miami, Florida
April 25-27: MEXICO CITY
Club Golf de Chapultepec, Mexico
May 2-4: KOREA
Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, Incheon, South Korea
Jun 6-8: WASHINGTON, D.C.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Gainesville Virginia
Jun 27-29: DALLAS
Maridoe Golf Club, Dallas, Texas
Jul 11-13: SPAIN
Real Club Valderrama, Spain
Jul 25-27: ENGLAND
JCB Golf & Country Club, Uttoxeter, England
Aug 8-10: CHICAGO
Bolingbrook Golf Club, Bolingbrook, Illinois
Aug 15-17: INDIANAPOLIS
The Club at Chatham Hills, Westfield, Indiana
Aug 22-24: MICHIGAN
Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort, Plymouth, Michigan

About the author

Ira Deokule is a dedicated sports journalist at Sportskeeda, specializing in Golf and other sports such as swimming, bodybuilding, gymnastics, and track and field. With a post-graduate degree in Media and Communication Studies from DMCS, SPPU, Pune, and a specialization in Video Production, she combines her academic background with practical experience as a national-level track and field athlete.

Ira's journalistic journey includes freelancing for FirstSportz during the Tokyo Olympics, where her articles gained significant recognition. She prioritizes accuracy and ethics, relying on verified sources and personal expertise to provide insightful, engaging content. Her unique perspective as an athlete enriches her understanding of sports dynamics, allowing her to write with neutrality and respect for her subjects.

Outside of journalism, Ira enjoys writing creative pieces, reading, dancing, and exploring filmmaking. She draws inspiration from trailblazing female golfers like Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko, whose achievements have elevated the visibility of women's golf. Ira aspires to cover iconic events like The Masters and is interested in the evolving landscape of golf, including the impact of LIV Golf.

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Edited by Neelabhra Roy