Golf Channel Analysts Had Awkward Moment on Live TV While Arguing About Brooks Koepka, Ryder Cup

The LIV golfer won the 2023 PGA Championship, but his roster spot on Team USA this year isn’t guaranteed.

Brooks Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship title on Sunday, and the debate about whether or not he deserves a spot on Team USA for this year’s Ryder Cup began instantly.

This is the first Ryder Cup where the possibility of LIV Golf members participating may lead to tricky decisions. 

The top six finishers on the U.S. Ryder Cup Team Rankings will earn a spot regardless (and Koepka currently stands at No. 2), but if Koepka is up for a captain’s pick (the next six players), the question is: Should he be selected by captain Zach Johnson?

At Oak Hill, Johnson was asked if he’d be comfortable having a LIV player on his team, and he left his opinion unclear.

“I think it’s too premature, frankly irresponsible, to even have any sort of opinion on that," Johnson said. 

On Golf Channel’s Live From show after Koepka’s win, analysts Brandel Chamblee and Brad Faxon had an awkward moment regarding the debate. Faxon thinks Koepka should be allowed to play in the Ryder Cup, while Chamblee felt the opposite.

“I don’t think this has anything to do with—they’re not playing for money, they’re playing for the Ryder Cup brand, they’re playing for their country,” Faxon said.

“They’re playing for their country, they’re not playing for their tour, they’re just playing for their country,” Chamblee said. “There’s certainly a sense that the Europeans are playing for their tour. I think you’re right, you make a reasonable point. They’re not playing for their tour, they’re just playing for their country.”

“No, they’re playing golf,” Faxon said before the two awkwardly stared at each other for a moment.

Brad Faxon makes the case that Brooks Koepka may deserve a spot on the Ryder Cup team and Brandel Chamblee was not having it.

Chamblee can’t fathom the fact a LIV golfer just won a major. Awkward. pic.twitter.com/PhCVp6qBV8

— Mark Harris (@itismarkharris) May 21, 2023

The 2023 Ryder Cup kicks off on Friday, Sept. 29, meaning Team USA has some time to figure out its roster. This year’s tournament will take place in Rome, Italy.