Ex-PGA Tour pro believes Phil Mickelson could be forgiven over LIV Golf fallout

Former PGA Tour player turned Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee believes Phil Mickelson could find a pathway back into the sport if LIV Golf folded. 

Chamblee has been a vocal critic of Mickelson since the six-time major champion left the PGA Tour for the breakaway league in 2022, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the split that has divided men's professional golf.

The 64-year-old has said Mickelson's decision to join LIV in the first place and accept millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund came at a significant cost to his standing and reputation within the sport.

But Chamblee believes Mickelson could be welcomed back by the wider golf world if he acknowledged the damage caused by his decision to join LIV and sought to repair his relationship with the sport.

"I don't know about forever," said Chamblee said on the We Need a Fourth podcast.  "I think we're in a pretty forgiving world. 

"He's obviously got his demons that he fights, and I wouldn't wish them on anybody, but he's not alone in fighting demons.

"I think if he hadn't gone to LIV, he would have been Arnold Palmer reincarnated.

"He would have been Ryder Cup captain numerous times. He would have been an honorary starter at Augusta.

"He would have been the lead analyst at CBS. He would have been the pied piper everywhere he went."

Chamblee said, however, that Mickelson could still repair his relationship with the game.

He added: "But I think if he came back and said 'look, I've made mistakes, I've tried to deal with them. Sorry for the damage I've caused. The game's been so good to me. And for the rest of my life, I'm going to try and be good back to it', I think everyone would put their arms around him and go 'welcome back, sorry you had so much trouble, hope you get your life straightened out'."

"Life's hard, it doesn't matter who you're talking into, running into.

"Everybody's dealing with something. Everybody's got some battle that they've faced or will face."

"I started doing commentary in 2004, so 2004 until Phil left, I used to say Phil was a gift to the game of golf.

"His talent, his showmanship, his look at me quality, it was incredible. What a talent, what an amazing talent."

Where is Phil Mickelson?

Phil Mickelson's 2026 season has been defined by his prolonged absence from the sport. 

At the beginning of the year, Mickelson announced on social media that he was taking some time away from the game to deal with a "private family health matter". 

He returned to action in March at LIV's stop in South Africa and finished in a tie for 48th but he has not played since. 

Mickelson subsequently missed all four major championships for the first time since turning professional. 

He did not play the Masters or PGA Championship because of the family situation, was not given a special exemption for the U.S. Open and decided against playing the Open at Royal Birkdale. 

Allegations of Mickelson's conduct towards women emerged in 2026, with two reports detailing separate incidents and prompting a strong denial from the golfer and his lawyers. 

The first report, published by Golf Digest in June, concerned an alleged incident at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California. 

According to multiple sources cited by the publication, a female club employee accused Mickelson of making non-consensual and inappropriate physical contact with her before a round in the spring. 

The employee reported the incident to supervisors, after which the club investigated and Mickelson left the property.

The Farms later said it had investigated a report of member misconduct and taken "decisive action". 

Mickelson's representatives subsequently confirmed that he had resigned his membership, while disputing aspects of the reporting. 

His attorney, Tom Clare, said there was "a great deal of misinformation circulating". 

A second report by Skratch Golf later that month alleged a longer history of inappropriate behaviour toward women, based on interviews with 19 sources. 

Among the allegations was an account from Ashley Perez, the former wife of professional golfer Pat Perez, who said Mickelson showed her an explicit photograph of himself and propositioned in 2015. 

Mickelson is also yet to comment on whether he is committed to staying with LIV in 2027. 

In September, LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the Saudi PIF withdrew its financial backing. 

LIV has also asked a bankruptcy judge for permission to terminate existing player contracts, including Mickelson's, as part of its restructuring.