Brandel Chamblee Highlights Massive TV Ratings Gap Between Players Championship and LIV Golf
The 2025 Players Championship drew significant TV ratings, sparking commentary from golf analyst Brandel Chamblee about the contrast between PGA Tour and LIV Golf viewership.
The Monday playoff between Rory McIlroy and J.J. Spaun attracted 1.5 million viewers across TV and digital platforms from 9-10 a.m. ET. Sunday's coverage averaged 3.6 million viewers, peaking at 6.2 million, surpassing last year's numbers.
Chamblee highlighted these numbers while criticizing LIV Golf's viewership. He noted that LIV's 2024 season finale with Jon Rahm winning drew significantly lower numbers, though his cited figure of 55,000 viewers was incorrect. The actual numbers were 134,000 for the second round and 89,000 for the final round.
LIV Golf's recent tournament on Fox Sports' FS1 channel drew 54,000 average viewers for its final round, despite a new broadcast deal.
Chamblee argued that "LIV is dying a slow costly death" while the PGA Tour thrives. He suggested LIV players regret choosing money over competing at the highest level, claiming audiences prefer watching those who "play for history and legacy."
Regarding potential reunification between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, recent negotiations appear to have stalled. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan acknowledged ongoing discussions but emphasized they won't compromise their platform's strength or momentum with fans and partners.
The stark contrast in viewership numbers and audience engagement continues to fuel the debate about the future of professional golf and the impact of LIV Golf on the sport's traditional structure.