Phil Mickelson recently found himself at the heart of a heated dispute between Anthony Kim and Brandel Chamblee over the contentious issue of LIV Golf versus the PGA Tour. The exchange, characterized by its fervor, shed light on the ongoing rift within the golfing community regarding the new breakaway tour and its relationship with traditional circuits.

The argument unfolded when Anthony Kim targeted Golf Channel analyst and former Tour winner Brandel Chamblee, criticizing him for urging the North American circuit to negotiate with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf. Chamblee, known for his outspoken views, had previously advocated for Mickelson’s removal from the golf hall of fame due to his connections with the Saudi financiers—a stance that dramatically contrasts his current position.

Kim, who returned to professional golf with LIV in February after a lengthy hiatus since his last PGA Tour appearance in 2012, has been open about his past struggles with addiction and how his family has played a crucial role in his recovery. Despite facing challenges in regaining his form within LIV Golf, Kim remains optimistic about his future successes in the sport.

Ramble Chamblee @chambleebrandel ur such a pussy 4 beating on ur chest & basically saying never retreat & hypocritically retreat. It is well known this talentless fool is disliked by most people in the golf world. U still gonna cover golf if @livgolf_league is involved?🤡 😂

— Anthony Kim (@AnthonyKim_Golf) May 10, 2024

The altercation began with Kim’s blunt critique of Chamblee on social media, labeling him derogatorily and questioning his integrity. Chamblee retorted by highlighting the irony and inaccuracy in Kim’s attack, especially considering it followed a request for parenting advice.

This is about as inaccurate as a lot of Mickelson’s drives and sadly ironical coming two tweets after you asked for advice on raising your daughter that you would refer to someone as a female body part in a juvenile attempt to denigrate them. It’s clear that you were not offered… https://t.co/LVeSgfZenG

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) May 11, 2024

Amidst this exchange, Mickelson weighed in, suggesting that resolving the underlying issues between men’s professional golf circuits is a work in progress, emphasizing the importance of addressing the problems before the situation deteriorates further. His comments come at a time when the PGA Tour has announced the creation of a ‘transaction subcommittee’ intended to engage in discussions with representatives from LIV Golf and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Intriguingly, the committee is reported to include notable figures such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Adam Scott, despite initial claims of Woods’ sole participation. This development was particularly surprising regarding McIlroy, given recent tension and his temporary block from returning to the policy board—a matter he addressed by denying any rift with Woods.

This unfolding drama represents a significant chapter in the evolving narrative of professional golf, highlighting deep divisions and the potential for change in the sport’s governance and affiliations