LIV has always been trailing behind the PGA Tour in terms of viewership. In 2025, while the Tour drew in 506,000 on average, LIV was drawing just 101,000.

Golf Analyst Brandel Chamblee is here to clear up why this is happening. He said that fans follow competitions that carry meaning.

Speaking on Sky Sports Golf on February 10, Brandel Chamblee delivered a blunt assessment of why LIV Golf struggles to resonate with fans, saying, "So these young players, I think, they sold their business at a discount, for the most part."

He reasoned with this by saying: “People don’t watch LIV because they know these events have no weight, no historical meaning, no legacy, and they’re mostly invitation-based.”

As a result, low viewership around LIV events reflects that response. Even without stating it directly, audiences express their position by choosing not to watch.

The historical significance of LIV Golf becomes clearer when viewed alongside the long-established structure of the PGA Tour.

The PGA Tour has operated based on qualification, and this is not new. The performance pathways that led to major championships and the open competition have stayed the same for decades now.

On the other hand, LIV Golf entered in 2021 with a completely different model. Introducing guaranteed contracts and a 54-hole format, it came without cuts, shotgun plays, and a team structure.

This shifted how players evaluated security, scheduling, and leverage within the sport.

Despite criticism from Brandel Chamblee, a steady group of younger players has moved into LIV Golf, with several beginning their first full season in 2026. 

In contrast to his long-held criticism of LIV Golf, Chamblee publicly supported a decision that reshapes the league’s place in the sport

Brandel Chamblee on LIV Golf Receiving OWGR Status

On February 3, the Official World Golf Ranking confirmed that LIV Golf events would award ranking points during the 2026 season, changing how those tournaments are counted.

Despite his long-standing criticism of LIV, Brandel Chamblee supported the decision. 

"The more you think about it and the more you dive into it and the more you try to understand what the world rankings is meant to do, and not what they're doing but what they're meant to do, they should not be in the game of governance, they should be in a game of measurement.”

At the same time, Chamblee maintained his criticism of the ranking model. While backing the outcome, he described the OWGR as limited and pointed to other data-based systems as better indicators of future performance.

The ruling included restrictions. Points will be awarded only to the top 10 finishers, including ties, in LIV Golf’s individual stroke-play events. 

While this allows some players to receive ranking points, the league objected to the limit, arguing that only a small group would benefit. On this point, Brandel Chamblee aligned with LIV’s position.

Overall, the episode shows a split view. Chamblee continues to question LIV’s structure, yet accepts a decision he believes protects the ranking system while recognizing where its players now stand in the game.

What do you think of Chamblee's comment? Is it true?

Follow Daily Club Golf for more golfing updates!

Written by

Aditi Singh