Phil Mickelson is at perhaps the lowest ebb of his life and career after checking into a treatment center for ‘family trauma and addiction’ issues, but even his biggest critic sees a route back
Brandel Chamblee believes a path remains for Phil Mickelson to return to the PGA Tour fold in some capacity(Image: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson and Brandel Chamblee are diametrically opposed on many issues, but the Golf Channel pundit believes there could be a route back to the PGA Tour for the troubled six-time major champion.
LIV Golf star Mickelson, 56, has played just once this year, citing a family health matter, and he recently completed a stint in a treatment center, which his representatives said was to tackle “family trauma and addiction.”
Mickelson is a legend of the game, but his standing in golf is at its lowest ebb after serving as a figurehead for the LIV Golf breakaway in 2022. He is considered a pariah by many at PGA Tour HQ in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, seemingly ruling out any chance of his being welcomed back to the old-school establishment in any capacity.
Chamblee has arguably been Mickelson’s most prominent critic. The former PGA Tour pro-turned-analyst has repeatedly condemned the breakaway and Mickelson’s role, but the 64-year-old is not ruling out a future where Mickelson is affiliated with the tour again.
“I don’t know about forever,” he told 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.
Chamblee believes Mickelson would be welcomed back into the PGA Tour fold if he takes accountability for his actions(Image: Getty Images)
“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.
“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.”
While Chamblee has made his feelings on Mickelson the man abundantly clear — “He and I don’t see eye to eye on anything,” Chamblee said in a 2018 interview — he is in no doubt about Mickelson’s talent and contribution to the sport on the course.
“I started doing commentary in 2004, so 2004 until Phil left, I used to say Phil was a gift to the game of golf,” Chamblee said.
“His talent, his showmanship, his ‘Look at me’quality, it was incredible. What a talent, what an amazing talent.”