Brooks Koepka wasted no time in delivering a sharp retort to Brandel Chamblee following the news of the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger.
The bombshell announcement on Tuesday left no room for hesitation as Koepka took a swipe at Chamblee, a Golf Channel analyst and one of the most vocal critics of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.
In a tweet, Koepka fired back with just four words: “Welfare Check on Chamblee.”
Welfare Check on Chamblee
— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) June 6, 2023
The remark targeted Chamblee, a former PGA Tour professional, who has been openly critical of LIV Golf and its players.
Chamblee has accused those who accepted lucrative payouts to join the rival circuit, including Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Patrick Reed, of aiding the Saudi regime’s attempt to improve its public image through sports.
Notably, Reed previously filed a $750 million lawsuit against Chamblee and the Golf Channel, claiming that the analyst’s “calculated, malicious” attacks had a direct impact on his career.
Consequently, Chamblee has become a prime target for criticism from LIV Golfers, and he has remained steadfast in his condemnation of the alternative tour.
Given the shocking news of the merger between the two tours and the addition of the European DP World Tour, Koepka, arguably one of the most prominent stars to transition from the PGA Tour to LIV, wasted no time in expressing his pettiness.
Even Koepka’s coach, Claude Harmon III, recently joined in the criticism of Chamblee, referring to him as a “paid actor by NBC and Golf Channel.”
Koepka’s recent victory in the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill solidified his status as a major force in the sport, marking his fifth career major win.
Notably, LIV Golfers have been permitted to compete in the four majors since the inception of the tour, and Koepka became the first active member of the alternative circuit to secure a major title.
In addition to his success in the PGA Championship, Koepka, alongside Mickelson, finished in a tie for second place at the Masters in April.
Koepka narrowly missed out on claiming the victory, relinquishing the lead to eventual winner Jon Rahm during the final round. Meanwhile, Mickelson’s impressive performance saw him shoot 7-under over the last 18 holes.
As the LIV Golf-PGA Tour merger continues to reverberate throughout the golfing world, Koepka’s swift retort serves as a reminder that the rivalry between the two circuits, as well as the critics and supporters involved, remains fierce and filled with heated exchanges.
