As two former professionals reached the U.S. Mid-Amateur final, frustration over the USGA’s amateur-reinstatement rules spilled onto X. One golf account argued that neither finalist should have been allowed back. He asked whether the champion’s name deserved an asterisk. That seems to be the general opinion among fans, and it even led the USGA to temporarily pause a select number of applications. The governing body will be examining “the role and purpose of reinstatement and waiting periods” and their effect on amateur golf.

Amid backlash over the controversial reinstatements, Brandel Chamblee supports the rule and former professionals. He replied to the X post about Nate Smith and Andrew Bailey reaching the Mid-Am final.

“Having once been a professional golfer should not come with a death sentence as it relates to one’s ability to compete at the highest level as an amateur. Professional status itself doesn’t create an enduring competitive advantage,” Chamblee wrote.

“Of course there should be some stipulation or formula for the amount of time/and or success one was or had followed by a reasonable period in purgatory—but purgatory, by definition shouldn’t last for ever.”

He also acknowledged that no golfer has a “magical reservoir of talent.” It’s just that most professionals were once great amateurs. But that doesn’t mean their form or skills can’t deteriorate over time. And when that happens, they should get an opportunity to get their amateur status back.

Colt Knost, whose reinstatement application is on hold, has also taken a similar stance. Speaking to Andy Johnson on The Fried Egg Golf Podcast, Knost said that there should be specific, published guidelines tied to a player’s level and length of tour experience. Rather than leaving applicants uncertain, he suggested tiered waits.

“I don’t see the problem with wanting to go play events like that,” he said, referring to invitation-only amateur competitions such as the Crump Cup.

Brandel Chamblee also proposes a wait time that does not last forever. He even made a similar argument last year in an episode of The Favorite Chamblee while discussing Knost’s application. He called a lifetime ban “too stiff a penalty” for a player who tries professional golf but couldn’t make it.

Many individuals on the PGA Tour do not even make much money. For them, surviving as a professional becomes challenging over time. If they decide to step away and take another job, they should be allowed to return as amateurs after an appropriate waiting period.

On the other hand, someone like Matt Kuchar has far more professional experience. After turning pro at 22, the veteran golfer has spent 25 years on the professional tour. Chamblee said that his wait time should therefore be much longer.

The controversy stems from the number of ex-professionals making their names in amateur events. For instance, Golf Digest reported that six of the eight 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur quarterfinalists were former pros. For some fans, this takes away opportunities from amateurs who have yet to turn pro.

While the USGA has put some applications on hold, the governing body still isn’t considering a lifetime ban on reinstatement. USGA president Kevin Hammer has articulated a position closer to Brandel Chamblee’s view. He said welcoming reinstated professionals back is good for the game, while acknowledging that circumstances differ.

Chief championship officer John Bodenhammer also drew a distinction between players with different experience levels. According to him, someone who briefly instructed or played professionally and someone with a longer or more successful tour career should have different wait times.

The USGA may have to decide soon. But for now, Brandel Chamblee backs former pros returning to amateur golf as the USGA reviews reinstatement rules.