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Phil Mickelson has caused “irreparable damage to the game” that should earn him a one-way ticket out of golf’s Hall of Fame, according to one of the sport’s most outspoken analysts.
In a new interview with Golf.com, former pro and now commentator Brandel Chamblee ripped Mickelson, the six-time major champion, who defected to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf last summer for a reported $200 million — a year before the PGA Tour announced its partnership with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and alliance with LIV this past June.
In a new interview with Golf.com, former pro and now commentator Brandel Chamblee ripped Mickelson, the six-time major champion, who defected to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf last summer for a reported $200 million — a year before the PGA Tour announced its partnership with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and alliance with LIV this past June.
“I don’t think he has any business being in the Hall of Fame. He’s caused irreparable damage to the game. And if the Tour’s philanthropic aspect dies, the autopsy should read LIV. It should read Phil,” the 61-year-old Chamblee said.
Mickelson, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2012, was one of the biggest PGA Tour stars to jump to LIV and has essentially become the face of the rebel circuit.
“I realize it was a tough dilemma that the Tour was in, but they wouldn’t have been in the dilemma if if it wasn’t for Phil,” Chamblee suggested to Golf.com. “Phil was the only one that could really make a difference. He was the only one. And he was not motivated by altruistic thoughts. He was moved and motivated by greed and that tilted the game in that direction. And so when I think about the dilemma that the Tour was in, it wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for Phil.”
In the wake of the proposed alliance between the rival entities, the 53-year-old Mickelson offered a three-word reaction to the news, tweeting, “Awesome day today.”
He currently serves as the captain of LIV’s HyFlyers GC squad, which also includes Cameron Tringale, James Piot and Brendan Steele.
Mickelson placed 10th at LIV’s latest event in Bedminster, N.J. That followed a controversial week in which excerpts were released from an upcoming book in which gambler Billy Walters alleged Micksleon placed more than $1 billion in wagers over the last 30 years and wanted Walters to place a $400,000 bet for him on the 2012 Ryder Cup, in which Mickelson was playing.
Mickelson vehemently denied the allegations, stating in part, “I never bet on the Ryder Cup. While it is well known that I always enjoy a friendly wager on the course, I would never undermine the integrity of the game.”
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