Wed Sep 18 13:58:00 UTC 2024: ## LIV Golf’s Big Payday Draws Few Viewers: Chamblee Slams “Witness Protection Program” of Viewership

**Chicago, IL** – Jon Rahm may have enjoyed the most lucrative weekend of his career after winning the LIV Golf Chicago tournament and securing the overall season title, but the event drew a paltry number of viewers, prompting scathing criticism from Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee.

Rahm’s victory, which netted him a reported £13.7 million, came amidst a flurry of other high-profile golf events, including the Irish Open and the Solheim Cup, which may have diluted the viewership. According to Sports Business Journal, only 89,000 viewers tuned in to the CW Network for Sunday’s final round, with 134,000 watching on Saturday. A further 145,000 have since viewed footage of Sunday’s coverage on YouTube.

Chamblee, a vocal critic of LIV Golf, seized on the low viewership figures, writing, “Despite billions of dollars for golf megastars, LIV remains in the witness protection program of sports viewership.” He blamed the lack of innovation and the controversial origins of the Saudi-backed tour’s investment for its struggles to attract viewers.

This latest criticism comes just a month after Chamblee blasted the performances of LIV players in major events this year, stating that with the exception of Bryson DeChambeau, not one LIV player managed a top-five finish.

Despite his criticism, Chamblee has acknowledged that a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV is necessary for the betterment of the sport. However, discussions remain stalled, with top players like Rory McIlroy expressing uncertainty about the details of the negotiations.

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