The two players faltered on the final day after appearing in contention.
Brandel Chamblee has again taken aim at LIV Golf after both Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau failed to challenge Scottie Scheffler over the closing holes at PGA Championship. The world No.1 fired a level-par 71 to finish 11-under-par, and was able to cruise down the final hole as he finished five clear of the field.
However, the tournament appeared in the balance earlier in the round as Rahm surged. After Scheffler shot two over par for his first nine, the Spaniard was briefly with the American before collapsing over the final three holes. He played ‘The Green Mile’ in five-over-par to slide down the leaderboard, eventually finishing tied for eighth and seven behind Scheffler.
DeChambeau began the final day at five-under-par and also briefly appeared in contention before faltering over the back nine. He made up one shot in his closing round to finish tied for second, but Quail Hollow signified the second consecutive major where the American has failed to come through on the final day.
Since LIV was launched in June 2022, only two players have won a major while representing the Saudi-backed circuit. Pundit Chamblee has been a vociferous critic of the rebel tour and has now blamed the LIV standard on Rahm and DeChambeau’s failure to push Scheffler on Sunday.
“If you look at how Bryson DeChambeau played ‘the Green Mile’ over the past two days, four-over-par,” he told the Golf Channel. “If you look at how Scottie Scheffler played ‘the Green Mile’ over the past two days, one-under-par.
“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. Scottie Scheffler is at the highest level.”
Chamblee also questioned the two stars’ composure when it mattered most under pressure on Sunday. LIV tournaments are only played over 54 holes, and there is no cut mark. All entrants are guaranteed to play for the duration of the events.
The criticism follows ex-Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley claiming that LIV tournaments weren’t adequately preparing players for big events, adding: “There’s no way that I can see that that is a better and more productive pathway to be prepared to win majors.”
