"He was not the impetus to change": Brandel Chamblee charges against Jon Rahm and LIV amid PGA Tour - PIF negotiations

Brandel Chamblee has stirred debates with his sharp critique of LIV Golf and Jon Rahm's role in shaping the future of the game. The former professional golfer took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) platform to go on a huge rant on the latter's "self-delusion".

The golf commentator wrote (via X @chambleebrandel):

"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. 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."

Chamblee's comments come amid a year of transition and turbulence in the world of professional golf with the ongoing negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's financier, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). Rahm's highly publicized move to the league was seen by several golf analysts as a turning point in the negotiation for the merger.

The broadcaster assumed that with the former PGA Tour star's stature as one of the world's best players and his power, his deflection would trigger a "domino" effect with other players following his footsteps. As Chamblee pointed out, it failed to materialize.

The University of Texas alum addressed critiques' tendency to use traditional TV viewership numbers to blame the "steep decline" in the golf industry. He ended his rant by stating that golf, as a sport, ends the year in the same spot that it began.

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Brandel Chamblee critiques Jon Rahm's 2024 Paris Olympics performance

John Rahm beared the lead at the 2024 Paris Oympics by a whopping four strokes. After ending the front nine with a five under par 31 score, fans and commentators believed that he was guaranteed the gold medal.

However, he went on to have a streak of bogeys and eventually dropped out of contention. According to Golf Digest, Brandel Chamblee claimed that it was "one of the biggest chokes of the year." He said (via X @GolfDigest):

"I'm going to put that down as one of the biggest collapses, chokes of the year. Right up there with Rory McIlroy at the US Open."

Chamblee compared the situation to Rory McIlroy missing a putt inside four feet to win the 2024 US Open, which was subsequently won by LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau.