Brandel Chamblee Blames Venue for Mistake That Cost LPGA Superstar $1.2 Million Major Title: ‘Hate to See..’

The Chevron Championship concluded with the Japanese golfer Mao Saigo claiming the win. The tournament also had the largest playoff at an LPGA major in history, consisting of 5 players. However, neither of these attracted as much attention as Ariya Jutanugarn did on the greens. It happened on the final day, when Ariya Jutanugran hit her ball at the grandstand and let a hybrid fly long into the par-5 18th. She even hit the volunteer. After that, the golfer missed her third shot from a tough lie in the rough, sending the tournament into a five-woman playoff. Unfortunately, the playoff ended in heartbreak, as Saigo ultimately claimed the victory.

Witnessing all this, golf analyst Brandel Chamblee chimed in and tried to defend Jutanugran with his latest post. He said, “Hate to see a major end the way Chevron did today.” While diving into the details, he argued, “Why is there a grandstand so close to the back edge of a closing hole par 5 that players can hit in two?” It appears to be true, as it not only lets players take bounces off the grandstands but also forces everyone to walk through the same area all week.

If the grandstand hadn’t been there, things could have turned out differently for Jutanugarn. To this, he added, “Ariya Jutanugarn’s ball should have been off the back of the green some 10 yards, leaving a basic chip, but instead was in a horrid lie from which she whiffed her chip and then lost in a playoff.” 

Ariya Jutanugran was off to a very good start at the tournament. She carded a 68 in the first round and started drawing attention. Although her second round saw a little decline in her score as she shot a 72. She was able to maintain the lead. In the third round, she carded a 70, and if it hadn’t been for the grandstand in the final round, she might have won the title this week. Additionally, Jutanugarn almost hit the volunteer she had used as a guide beyond the green after her ball bounced back off the grandstand in regulation play.

Hate to see a major end the way Chevron did today.

Why is there a grand stand so close to the back edge of a closing hole par 5 that players can hit in two?

It allows players to bounce into the grandstands but also forces everyone all week to walk in the same area, no doubt… pic.twitter.com/HRco0wOezh

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) April 28, 2025

It’s true that the former number one golfer has 12 titles, with two major wins to her name. The last time she won was back in 2021 alongside sister Moriya in the Dow Championship, a team event. That’s right, it’s been four years since she has been on a winless streak. It all could have ended at the Chevron Championship. Especially considering how her form has been this season.

A look into Ariya Jutanugran’s 2025 season so far

The golfer started her season with a T48 finish at the Founders Cup. However, she bounced back at the Honda LPGA Thailand with a T14 finish and was certainly looking forward to this season. Surprisingly, things were like a rollercoaster for her as she had a solo 38th finish at the HSBC Women’s World Championship. However, the ride still didn’t start to climb up, and even went more downhill. She missed the cut at the Ford Championship.

Anyone would crumble, right? Well, not exactly if you are Ariya Jutanugran. She made a dominating comeback at the T-Mobile Match Play, finishing T3. Carrying this form, the golfer was certainly looking very good to win the Chevron Championship. Although she tried her best, Jutanugran couldn’t claim the title and had to settle with tied for second. 

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