News

Chamblee: Brooks Koepka is “just not in the class” of Woods, Johnson or McIlroy

Published

7 years ago

May 8, 2019

On Tuesday, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee made an appearance on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio with host Hank Haney where Chamblee further explained and doubled down on his belief that Brooks Koepka is “not in the class” of Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, or Rory McIlroy.

The feud between Koepka and Chamblee escalated this week following the golf talking head describing Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy as the only players capable of challenging Tiger Woods as the best player in the world. Irked by the oversight, Koepka then published a photo of the analyst with a clown nose attached.

On Tuesday, Chamblee explained that he believes Koepka is a “heck of a player”, but moved to defend his stance that the American couldn’t win the 2019 Masters because of his “inability to move the ball right to left” and his “poor lag putting”, after some golf fans believed that the 29-year-old had proved Chamblee wrong after his runner-up finish.

“He made a double bogey on the second hole because he missed it left. That happens when you can’t comfortably swing it out and draw it around the corner. I said that his poor lag putting on the year would be an issue at Augusta National, and he three-putted five times. You know, you win and lose for reasons.

“I think Brooks (Koepka) is a hell of a player. I’ve said so I don’t even know how many times. He certainly wasn’t putting a clown nose on my face when I was lauding him all these years.”

Speaking on his omission from players Chamblee believes can challenge Woods at the top of the game, the golf analyst, in typical fashion, did not mince words. Chamblee explained that the reason Koepka does not possess the capability to challenge the 15-time major champ, unlike Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, is because both Johnson and McIlroy are both better drivers, iron players and are better around the greens than Koepka.

“It’s not to say Brooks Koepka isn’t a hell of a player, and he may grow into becoming an even better player. Most recently I just omitted him as a player who I thought could challenge for the best player, of Tiger Woods, and I said Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy were more in line with those players.

“I chose those players for very specific reasons. They’re better drivers of the ball than Brooks, they’re better irons players than Brooks for the most part, they’re better around the greens than Brooks. … Would I put him right there behind those players? Absolutely. Brooks is an amazing player, he’s just not in the class of the other players that I’ve mentioned.”

"I think Brooks is a heck of a player…. He certainly wasn't putting a clown nose on my face when I was lauding him all these years." – @chambleebrandel joined Hank Haney Golf Radio to share his comments on @BKoepka pic.twitter.com/ibEj47IqUo

— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) May 7, 2019

All quotes courtesy of SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio.

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at gianni@golfwrx.com

20 Comments

Scott Koontz

May 10, 2019 at 10:32 pm

LOLZ at Chamblee criticizing Brooks as a bad matchup for Augusta when the man comes in 2nd.

Reply Report comment
Dave r

May 10, 2019 at 10:52 am

Brandel how are you still employeed . Like really just get on your horse and ride off into the sunset. You need to get a reality check. I mute my tv every time you open your mouth to talk you so full of yourself . Man it must suck to be so perfect.

Reply Report comment
Jack

May 8, 2019 at 9:16 pm

How many regular tour events has Brooks won?

Reply Report comment
Brandon

May 8, 2019 at 8:51 pm

Chamblee is Stephen A. Smith in white face.

Reply Report comment
Tom54

May 8, 2019 at 6:59 pm

Koepka can’t win the Masters cause he can’t hit the draw when he needs it? Last time I checked a Mr Nicklaus won there 6 times and his preferred ball flight was a …………?

Reply Report comment
Larry hagel

May 8, 2019 at 6:55 pm

Who cares what the so called expert says. What’s he ever done in golf that matters.

Reply Report comment
Justin

May 8, 2019 at 6:32 pm

chamblee is correct. nothing he said is wrong.

Before we all get too excited about 3 majors in two years, I give you Padraig Harrington. Let’s see Brooks sustain this before anointing him above guys with 15 and 20 wins respectively. Too many people hate everything Chamblee says because its en vogue.

Reply Report comment
greg mcneill

May 8, 2019 at 5:37 pm

If he wasn’t controversial, he would be irrelevant. I don’t know if he really some of the stuff he says and writes or if he’s just taking positions that will get a rise from people. I think Brandel understands golf, is a student of golf and is a capable observer, but so are dozens of other former golfers. He has to find a way to stand out. This is another example.

Reply Report comment
- Tim Armington
  
  May 9, 2019 at 12:41 pm
  
  I couldnt agree more!
  
  Reply Report comment
Dave

May 8, 2019 at 3:03 pm

Isn’t this the same “clown” that said over and over that Tiger would NEVER win another major??? Why is he now calling Tiger the best golfer in the world?

Reply Report comment
- David Johns
  
  May 9, 2019 at 12:20 pm
  
  He said he would never win another major with the swing he using a few years ago. He has since changed his swing and Chamblee changed his opinion (well before Tiger won a major or even a Tournament).
  
  Reply Report comment
C

May 8, 2019 at 2:48 pm

Get this clown off the air, NOW !!!!!

Reply Report comment
sammy

May 8, 2019 at 12:27 pm

Chamblee is making his own best case for being obtuse.

Reply Report comment
Distance Compression Dude

May 8, 2019 at 12:27 pm

Brandel Chamblee is the Brandel Chamblee of golf.

Reply Report comment
Brent Mann

May 8, 2019 at 12:18 pm

Why do they keep giving this jerk a platform.

Reply Report comment
Erik Morden

May 8, 2019 at 10:58 am

Ok so is Chamblee high? Koepka has three majors with 2 in one year, that puts him one behind Rory and two ahead of DJ so how is Koepka not in the same class. They all hit the ball well they all have won at the highest levels how is Koepka different?

Reply Report comment
Justin

May 8, 2019 at 10:47 am

So Chamblee says his reason that Brooks is not in the same category as Rory is that he didn’t win The Masters. Remind me what year did Rory win The Masters? It is really hard for this man to admit that he was wrong.

Reply Report comment
- Aj
  
  May 8, 2019 at 10:55 am
  
  Brooks has won 3 majors in 2 years Rory 0 Dustin 0
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Andrew
    
    May 8, 2019 at 2:48 pm
    
    Aj you forgot to add Chamblee 0 in 20 years
    
    Reply Report comment
    - judy crockett
      
      May 9, 2019 at 12:27 am
      
      I have never seen such a bare attack of jealousy on a golfer. Brandel you are clearly very jealous of the best striker of the golf ball on tour and his lack of response to your nastiness and hatred of his pure raw talent is eating you up. SHAME I feel sad for you being so alone.
      
      Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship

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2 days ago

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