The Loop
Watch Brandel Chamblee confront USGA officials over the controversial Dustin Johnson ruling
As the final round of the 116th U.S. Open unfolded, players like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Rickie Fowler made it clear on social media that they had Dustin Johnson's back. And in the tournament's aftermath, a certain outspoken TV analyst joined DJ's cause.
Two of the USGA officials -- Jeff Hall and Thomas Pagel -- involved in the decision to ultimately assess Johnson a penalty came on Golf Channel on Sunday night. But the set quickly turned into an interrogation room with Brandel Chamblee playing the role of bad cop. Check out the clip (Start at the 3:05 mark to see when it really gets juicy):
"I've played golf for 40 years. I have never nor have I ever seen anybody make a practice stroke that caused a ball to move," a visibly agitated Chamblee said. "Have y'all ever seen anybody make a practice stroke . . . and a ball move? Ever heard of it?"
Chamblee then asked Hall and Pagel about the timeline. After hearing Hall say he had to be called off the course to watch it, Chamblee shot back, "And all that took seven holes?"
Then, there was this exchange:
"And let me just get this straight. Y'all (again, with the "y'all"!), upon looking at the evidence, thought he was likely to have caused it to move?"
"More likely than not," Pagel responded.
"I'm sorry," Chamblee retorted. "What about what he did do you think caused the ball to move? And why do you come to that conclusion?"
Fox's Paul Azinger and Brad Faxon also made it apparent they didn't agree with the penalty either, but they were more restrained on TV. Of course, Fox is also the network that has a 10-year agreement to broadcast the USGA's championships.
But it wasn't just analysts and players who were upset about the situation. Here's what former PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman had to say to Golf Digest:
"What ever the outcome it needed to be made in a much more timely manner. They became the victims of their own folly. Trying to protect par with 14 greens speed is not the best way to protect par. His ball moving was just one of many. When you play with fire you get burned."
And when you come onto Chamblee's set, don't be surprised to take some heat.