Brandel Chamblee has offered a fresh perspective on Phil Mickelson’s future in golf, suggesting the six-time major champion may not be as far removed from the sport as some believe.
Mickelson became one of the most recognizable faces of LIV Golf after leaving the PGA Tour in 2022, a decision that dramatically changed his standing within the sport. Chamblee has been one of his most vocal critics throughout the fallout.
But Chamblee now believes there could still be a path back for Mickelson if he takes responsibility for his actions and attempts to repair his relationship with the game.
Speaking on the We Need a Fourth podcast, Chamblee was asked whether Mickelson had permanently damaged his legacy.
“I don’t know about forever. I think we’re in a pretty forgiving world,” Chamblee said.
Chamblee went even further when describing what Mickelson’s career could have looked like had he never joined LIV.
“I think if he hadn’t gone to LIV, he would have been Arnold Palmer reincarnated,” he said.
The former PGA Tour player argued that Mickelson could have gone on to become a Ryder Cup captain multiple times, an honorary starter at Augusta National and a leading television analyst.
Instead, his decision to join LIV placed him at the center of the dispute that divided professional golf.
Chamblee nevertheless believes Mickelson could change the way he is viewed if he were to return with an apology and a genuine acknowledgment of the consequences of his decisions.
“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,” Chamblee said.
The comments come as Mickelson’s future in professional golf remains uncertain. He has made only one LIV start in 2026 and missed all four major championships this year.
Chamblee also acknowledged that Mickelson was once regarded as one of golf’s most valuable personalities, praising his talent, showmanship and ability to attract attention wherever he played.
“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.”
Whether Mickelson would actually receive the welcome Chamblee imagines remains a matter of opinion. But the message from one of his fiercest critics is clear: Chamblee does not believe the door has to remain permanently closed.
For Mickelson, however, any potential route back would begin with acknowledging the consequences of his choices and attempting to rebuild the relationship he once had with the wider golf world.
