The situation between Brandel Chamblee and Anthony Kim has most of Golf Twitter abuzz.
Their dispute has led to a broader discussion, with fans and media personalities questioning the state of professional golf and its enormous divide. Phil Mickelson received a cheap shot from Chamblee during this Twitter feud.
The six-time major winner eventually took to social media to respond to a fan calling the game of golf broken.
“OR, golf was broken and is in the process of being fixed,” Mickelson wrote in response. “1) average age of PGA tour viewers recently went from 60 to 65. 2) totally U.S. centric and no plan to globalize opportunities. 3) monopolistic control of media rights wouldn’t allow for players to use YouTube and other social platforms to promote the game to the next generation and working from within the Tour wasn’t an option. i.e. Bryson [DeChambeau]. What he’s doing now wasn’t allowed before LIV. Fixing the problem takes time, but it’s better than waiting for it to collapse entirely.”
OR, golf was broken and is in the process of being fixed. ♂️
1) average age of pga tour viewer recently went from 60 to 65. 2)totally US centric and no plan to globalize opportunities. 3) monopolistic control of media rights wouldn’t allow for players to use YouTube and other…— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 12, 2024
Mickelson’s words sound familiar because PGA Tour fans have made the same critiques. Many feel that the Tour is lacking in certain areas.
For example, one of the most noticeable issues is the decline in television viewership. Despite Scottie Scheffler putting forth a historic performance at The Masters, ratings declined sharply.
LIV Golf may not be the answer, which its awful ratings illustrate. But it shows golf fans something different. Allowing Bryson DeChambeau to film and post on YouTube broadens the audience.
Just look at what happened with the Myrtle Beach Classic and YouTube Golf when they collaborated. Eight content creators competed against professional golfers in The Q at Myrtle Beach and they created a video about the whole thing. It brought in thousands of viewers on the video, and the crowds in Myrtle Beach were massive for an opposite-field event.
If anyone knows how strict the PGA Tour is with content, it is Ryan French, who runs the Monday Q Info account on X. He follows the Monday qualifiers and has had multiple videos and photos flagged over the years.
Don’t disagree it was not perfect before (esp the media rights) and the pga tour took advantage of the monopoly. But right now it’s pretty broken imo. Commentators taking unnecessary shots at players, players calling him a pussy. Here’s hoping it gets fixed quickly and correctly. https://t.co/MFmtlBXht1
— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) May 12, 2024
French’s concerns likely resonate with golf fans. It is sad to see golf this broken.
Mickelson’s suggestion that golf is being fixed feels far-fetched. It has almost been a year since the PGA Tour and Saudi PIF announced a deal, and nothing of note has been done.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
