Brandel Chamblee claims rumor linking Rory McIlroy to LIV was of Saudi origin

The world of golf has recently been abuzz with rumors and pronouncements surrounding Rory McIlroy and LIV Golf. McIlroy, a four-time major champion, was rumored to be on the verge of joining the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway tour, LIV Golf. The rumor, which suggested McIlroy would be paid a staggering $850 million to join LIV, was vehemently denied by the golfer himself. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV,” McIlroy stated in an interview with Golf Channel.

Meanwhile, LIV Golf’s performance at the 2024 Masters has also been a topic of discussion. Despite having some of the best golfers in the world, the collective performance of the LIV players at the Masters was deemed unsatisfactory by many. Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith fared the best, tying for sixth place at two under par. However, several LIV stars, including Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson, missed the cut at Augusta.

Brandel Chamblee’s Theory

Former PGA Tour professional and one of the biggest opposing voices to LIV Golf, Brandel Chamblee, has a very particular take on these events. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Chamblee suggested a wild theory as to how the McIlroy to LIV Golf rumors came about. According to Chamblee, the rumors were in fact started by LIV, following the poor performance from their players at The Masters.

“I have no doubt that this rumor was started by Saudis/LIV… to benefit Saudis/LIV after such a poor showing, as a group, at The Masters,” Brandel Chamblee wrote. He further added, “You think they paid $3 billion for a few top tens and to be +82 as a group at major? A senior citizen beat some of their ‘stars’ and almost all the games of LIV players have deteriorated since they sold their souls to the Saudis who only bought a moment in time… nothing else.”

Brandel Chamblee’s comments reflect his long-standing criticism of LIV Golf. Ever since their formation, Chamblee has been vocal about his disapproval of the tour and the players who have joined it. His recent comments on X suggest that he believes the rumor about McIlroy joining LIV was a distraction tactic used by the Saudis to divert attention from LIV’s underwhelming performance at the Masters.

While it remains unclear where the rumor truly originated from, Brandel Chamblee’s theory adds another layer to the ongoing saga between the traditional golf establishment and the breakaway LIV Golf tour. As the golfing world continues to grapple with these developments, one thing is clear – the debate around LIV Golf and its impact on the sport is far from over.