Richard Bland has been a breath of fresh air in a three-year hiatus for professional golf.
Fans first took notice of Bland in 2021 when, at age 48, he became the oldest player to win his first DP World Tour title at the British Masters.
That same year, Bland surprised everyone by taking a two-round lead at the U.S. Open.
Now 51, Bland plays for LIV Golf. He has been doing relatively well on LIV Golf, while winning back-to-back majors at the Senior PGA Championship and Senior U.S. Open.
“Professional golfers don’t usually win their first DP World title after 478 starts,” Bland said. “I’ve gotten a lot of messages saying my story has inspired people.”
After winning the Senior U.S. Open earlier this month, many golf fans expected Bland to complete the so-called “Bland Slam,”
which includes the Senior PGA, Senior U.S. Open and Senior Open Championship.
However, the story is not that simple. The “Bland Slam” will not be realized.
Richard Bland is one of several DP World Tour members who have not paid their fines to the system, after each LIV Golf event they play in overlaps with a DP World tournament.
“LIV has not paid my fines and I don’t want them to, because I have no intention of returning to the DP World Tour, so I don’t see the need for them,” Bland said.
The DP World Tour is co-organizer of the Senior Open Championship with the R&A and will continue to enforce a suspension policy for golfers who have not paid their fines. That list includes Bland.
Golfers who have paid their full DP World Tour fines include Patrick Reed and Thomas Pieters, both of whom were allowed to play in the BMW International Open in Munich last week.
However, Bland points out that the Senior Open Championship is an “open” tournament, and that is why he should be allowed to play, despite the fines.
“The R&A needs to stand up to the DP World Tour and say, ‘this is an open event, not a closed event,’” Bland said.
Another hurdle for Bland is that the Senior Open Championship is scheduled to clash with LIV Golf U.K., which is scheduled to take place on July 25-28 at Carnoustie.
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Source: New York Post
