LIV pro sparks war among golf fans with Presidents Cup claim

LIV's Anthony Kim appeared to divide opinion among golf fans when he claimed breakaway tour players deserved to be at the Presidents Cup.

Ben Smith

28 Sep 2024

Anthony Kim appeared to divide opinion after he claimed LIV Golf players deserved to be at the Presidents Cup.

Kim was no doubt referring to the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann and Louis Oosthuizen.

The Presidents Cup falls under the umbrella of the PGA Tour and therefore breakaway tour players are banned from participating.

At least until those in the corridors of power strike a peace deal to re-unite the elite men's game.

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"Congrats to all team members of the Presidents Cup," Kim posted.

"Would be even better with the LIV Golf League players that deserve to be there as well.

"But still a special event and accomplishment. Ask ramble Shamlee he can walk you through what you will be feeling."

Kim was referring to the Golf Channel's Brandel Chamblee.

Chamblee is a former PGA Tour winner who has repeatedly criticised the Saudis' influence in global sport even before LIV was created.

The former golfer claims LIV players are complicit in sportswashing, given the league is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's vast sovereign wealth fund.

As far as Chamblee is concerned, the Saudis are simply attempting to buy the success of the West while also covering up their alleged human rights abuses.

Chamblee has traded blows with several LIV players, such as Koepka and DeChambeau, over the last few years.

He claimed DeChambeau had betrayed his faith and urged Phil Mickelson to be removed from golf's hall of fame.

Kim and Chamblee have also been going back-and-forth on X over the last few months.

In May, Kim described Chamblee as a 'talentless fool' after the analyst gave his verdict on the PGA Tour's 'framework agreement' with the PIF.

Unsurprisingly, Kim's latest statement was met with a mixed response.

Some argued that the likes of Koepka and DeChambeau did not deserve to be at the 24 Presidents Cup given they knew that their choices came with consequences.

Others enjoyed Kim's take-down of Chamblee.

Congrats to all the team members of the #PresidentsCup. Would be even better w the @livgolf_league players that deserve to be there as well but still a special event & accomplishment ask ramble shamlee he can walk u thru wat u will be feeling#girldad #Gratitude #mentalhealth pic.twitter.com/bVNHByMziR
— Anthony Kim (@AnthonyKim_Golf) September 26, 2024

See some reaction here:

"They don't deserve to be there if they knew the consequences for joining with a start up competitor. I'm cheering for you brother, but don’t agree with this one."

"It's a PGA Tour event though Tony! Much the same as PGA players not being able to put together a four-ball and sticking a team into the LIV team champs last week."

"No issues Anthony. Those not there chose LIV over playing in these types of events. Fair play to them, but let’s not be begging to be let back in, when they decided their own path."

"I think this is what my kids mean when they say living rent-free. Anthony Kim had to bring in Brandel Chamblee unprompted."

"You're a class act Anthony. I admire you for being so truthful with us. Just thank you."

"I'll bite, who deserves to be on the team from LIV?"

"Thought most wanted to play less golf for f--- sake. Most went for the money to play less golf, and now complaining that they can't play in certain events. Can PGA Tour players go play on LIV if they wanted?"

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