Brandel Chamblee sends crystal clear message to LIV Golf players in latest row

Former PGA Tour pro turned Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee has offered his thoughts on LIV Golf players returning to the DP World Tour.

The European-based circuit drew a line in the sand at the beginning of the month by announcing it will refuse membership to LIV players in 2027.

The hardline stance appears to have accelerated a mass player exodus as LIV Golf seeks to restructure following its entry into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September.

Twelve players have now confirmed they want no part of LIV Golf's 2.0 era, with many confirming they will play a full-time schedule on the European tour in 2027.

But that decision has upset some parts of the membership, who believe players from the breakaway tour shouldn't be allowed spots in tournaments ahead of those who stayed loyal or younger players embarking on the start of their professional careers.

Veteran Dutch golfer Joost Luiten, 40, has been particularly outspoken.

Luiten told GolfMagic he isn't against anyone coming back but stressed that those who gave up their memberships shouldn't be able to expect to regain all the benefits and privileges they previously enjoyed.

England's Eddie Pepperell wrote a lengthy column on the situation last week, stressing that DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings and his team have a difficult task. 

But he was clear that invitations should only be handed out to players who add "stardust" to tournaments.

Pepperell will also be directly affected by LIV returnees next season after losing his tour card.

"The idea that Charles Howell III is on this list, with all due respect to Charles – he's a terrific guy – is utterly bizarre," he wrote.

European Ryder Cup legend Lee Westwood also got involved.

Now Chamblee, one of LIV's harshest critics since its inception, has had his say.

"The great irony of professional golf today is that the players who left the game's traditional institutions in pursuit of financial security may now be offered competitive security by the very institutions they helped destabilize," he wrote on X.

"As much as I hate to say it, there's nothing wrong with opening the door to their return.

"But opening the door and handing them a seat at the table are two very different things.

"One offers a second chance; the other risks making a mockery of those who earned their first."

What have the DP World Tour said about the situation?

Several players, who are already out of contract but who are not exempt on the DP World Tour 2027, are in discussions the circuit about playing opportunities.

The discussions are aimed at reaching agreements which would guarantee them invites to a specific number of DP World Tour tournaments, outside of Rolex Series events, in 2027. 

The agreements are not available to any player who remains contracted to LIV or intends to play in the league.

Should a player strike a deal with the DP World Tour but subsequently join LIV or play in one of the events, the agreement could be terminated.

The DP World Tour does not intend to make a new category for LIV players.

A spokesperson for the DP World Tour told GolfMagic: "Given the high volume of inbound interest and enquiries we have received in recent weeks, we are exploring the terms on which we are willing to accommodate players provided they are free from third party contractual restrictions and are willing to abide by our membership regulations. Our Tournament Committee has approved the process we intend to follow and we expect further enquiries in the days ahead."