Brandel Chamblee’s Bold Change of Stance on PIF – “The Time is Now”

Brandel Chamblee has been a prominent figure in the golf scene for his staunch views on LIV Golf. He has been a vocal critic of both the breakaway league and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), believing that they don’t belong in the golf world. However, Chamblee, like many others, has decided to change his mind and create a new stance regarding LIV Golf.

In August last year, Brandel Chamblee publicly opposed the emergence of LIV Golf, believing they were trying to buy the sport with money. He criticized the benefactors of LIV Golf because of its connection to the Saudi government, which has a horrible human rights record, subjugates women and LGBTQ individuals, and had links to the 9/11 attacks.

He also said that a deal between the PGA Tour and the PIF would likely get blocked by the Department of Justice  due to anti-trust violations.

“Sport is about character and it is about morals because it’s about people who will sell their souls to turn a blind eye to murder.” Chamblee said in 2023. “So it’s corrupting the sport now, based upon greed and based upon turning a blind eye to murder.”

🚨🤝💰Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee says it’s time the PGA Tour complete a deal with the PIF: "So the time is now, to Rory's point about making a deal, I wouldn't have said that a year ago, but it is the better end of the bargain.”

(Via: @JCAGOLFReport)pic.twitter.com/lIv96cpnSH

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 10, 2024

Brandel Chamblee’s Sudden Change of Opinion

However, Brandel Chamblee has now changed his stance. He believes that the PGA Tour must be open to reaching a deal with PIF. This is a significant shift from his previous stance, and it raises the question: why this sudden change of opinion?

Brandel Chamblee’s change of heart can be attributed to the realization that the PIF, which reportedly has over $700 billion in assets, is not going away.

“Look, the PGA Tour is in this pickle, like it or not,” Brandel Chamblee said. “Do you want to compete indefinitely with someone who is not going to go away, who can outspend you, and if they are in business, every move they make that makes their tour better deletes your tour and causes more division within the tour?”

“The time is now, to point about making a deal,” he added “I wouldn’t have said that a year ago, I don’t think there are a lot of people within the world of golf that would be particularly enamored with the idea of making this deal. But it is the better end of the bargain at this point.”

This statement reflects Brandel Chamblee’s understanding of the current state of professional golf. With dozens of major champions competing on separate tours, the golf scene remains in disarray. To end this schism, the two sides must come together and strike a deal.

Yet, different opinions on the future of golf have permeated across the PGA Tour. Until tour brass has a better understanding of how the future should play out—and have a consensus among them—a deal remains far away.

However, many within the golf industry, which now includes Chamblee, recognize that a deal is necessary. Even though Chamblee is not a fan of the PGA Tour doing business with the Saudi PIF, he feels that this deal needs to be struck for the betterment of the PGA Tour. This sudden change in Chamblee’s stance signifies the evolving dynamics within the golf industry and the pressing need for a resolution between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.