“It matters where you play to be sharp, to be at your best, to test yourself against the best, which they’re not playing against the best week in and week out.” That’s what Brandel Chamblee had to say about why LIV golfers are failing at the majors. His controversial take was criticized by several people including Dan Rapaport from the Dan in Golf show. “I think this whole narrative about LIV makes guys uncompetitive. I think we got to retire it.” The podcast host had added on his latest episode.

It seemed Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau‘s performances at Charlotte could have proved it wrong for a while. At one point in the fourth round at Quail Hollow, Scottie Scheffler’s position at the top was threatened, and it was by none other than LIV Golf pro Jon Rahm. The Spaniard, who last won a Major in 2023 at Augusta, was tied with Scheffler for the first position. Rahm, who started earlier, had 3 under par by the 11th hole, while Scheffler had carded three bogeys and a birdie to be at 9 under par by his 10th hole. By the end of it all, Scheffler had an 11-under-par. Rahm dropped to 4 under par. His last three holes were bogey, double bogey, and double bogey.

The late-game heroics, or lack thereof, could be one part of what Chamblee was insinuating. Speaking on The Favorite Chamblee podcast, former PGA Tour pro Brandel Chamblee candidly explained why he was not surprised by what transpired. “I have watched Jon Rahm for the better part of three years double-cross himself. He swings it very fast, when he gets in the hunt in the last two, three years, I’m thinking about the Olympics, even before he went to LIV, it was becoming a part of his misses.” Chamblee explained. “He is getting very quick with his transition. He has a tendency to double-cross himself with drivers and irons but also come out of it.” This is a huge problem when the game gets close in tight situations.

“I know it looked like Jon Rahm had the momentum. But exactly what happened at the Olympics happened here. Jon Rahm fell away, double-crossed himself if you remember the Olympics.. It was his gold medal and he missed it left, hit it in the water, and he continued to struggle,” Chamblee added.

Jon Rahm was tied for the lead with Xander Schauffele after three rounds of golf at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But he shot a 70 on the last day, to card a total of 15 under par, ending outside the medals at T5. Scottie Scheffler remarkably fought from four strokes down to card a 9-under par round to clinch the gold medal. It seems like the demons of the PGA Championship are not something new for Rahm.

Despite his very obvious aversion to LIV Golf and everything it stands for, Chamblee still believes in Jon Rahm though. Very recently, he had publicly stated his love for Rahm’s golf.

No love lost between Brandel Chamblee and Jon Rahm

“I’ve certainly not often missed an opportunity to criticize LIV, but I certainly miss Jon Rahm on the PGA Tour,” Chamblee publicly acknowledged on the Golf Channel podcast a few days back. At one point on the PGA Tour, Jon Rahm was untouchable. He registered four victories in four months at the beginning of the 2023 season, which culminated with the triumph at Augusta, his second major championship title.

He was slated for a competitive back-and-forth with Scottie Scheffler before deciding to join LIV for what was reportedly a $300 million contract for four years. The majors are the only time PGA Tour fans get to witness Rahm’s brilliance. “I miss watching his style of golf. I miss watching him play,” Chamblee added.

Rahm has also taken the LIV circuit by storm. He topped the individual points list in his first year on the Saudi-backed circuit, and in nearly 21 appearances, he is yet to finish outside the top 10. He is currently second in the individual points list for this season and seems to have established himself on the global tour. However, fans will want this to translate to the majors.

Do you think Jon Rahm can address his habits and make a statement at any of the upcoming majors this year? Can he prove Brandel Chamblee wrong?