Did NBC golf analyst Brandel Chamblee treat Bryson DeChambeau fairly during the U.S. Open? Or did he let certain issues, namely DeChambeau’s alliance with LIV Golf, affect his commentary?
That issue sparked plenty of talk on social media during and after Sunday’s final round, which saw DeChambeau take home his second U.S. Open trophy. Most fans were convinced Chamblee was out to get DeChambeau.
There’s a history between the two. Chamblee has openly criticized DeChambeau in the past, specifically calling out his link to the Saudi-backed LIV. In 2022, he cited DeChambeau’s Christianity, and said, “I just wonder how he squares accepting money from a regime that is anti-Christian.”
And he’s been openly critical of the entire contingent of golfers who left for that circuit. Last year, when news broke of the proposed merger between LIV and the PGA Tour, Chamblee called it “one of the saddest days in the history of golf.”
So Chamblee, a former PGA Tour golfer, definitely has allegiances to that tour, while DeChambeau is one of the most prominent faces of LIV.
But back to the question at hand: Did that affect. Chamblee’s commentary Sunday? Many fans pointed out that the analyst complained several times about DeChambeau getting favorable lies in the wiregrass, implying luck played a key role in his final round.
Chamblee and DeChambeau were seated together during the Golf Channel’s post-tournament coverage, and Chamblee treated him as one would expect an analyst to act in that situation. And some fans complained about that.
Chamblee put himself in this situation, where fans might be tempted to accuse him of favoritism, with his outspoken remarks on DeChambeau and LIV Golf. No one expects broadcasters not to share opinions on the sport they cover, but they best prepare for blowback if fans suspect those opinions are affecting their supposedly unbiased analysis during events.
[Chris Torello]