ROCESTER, ENGLAND — With as much conviction as his record-tying back-to-back major victories in the U.S. Senior Open earlier this month, Richard Bland declares, “I was never finished.”
Even though others were saying otherwise, the hard-bitten Englishman who struggled for years, lost his card on the European Tour three times, and competed in 477 events before winning the British Masters in 2021 felt deep down that a “few tough years” would not break him.
“Life just got in the way,” Bland recalls, looking back to a period from 2017 where his form fell off a cliff before a surprising surge, sparked partly by a move to LIV helped create a popular, but unlikely feel-good story.
Bland believed a victory was imminent when he came into 2017 fresh off a high-earning year that included numerous top-10 finishes and very few finishes outside of the top 30. Though he notes that there were not any memorable moments—rather, it was merely the kind of steady golf that serves as a foundation for bigger things.: “Of course, I felt a win was coming.”
Then brother Heath became ill; he contracted a virus that caused his heart to stop twice, putting him in an induced coma for five weeks around Christmas. He later received the crippling diagnosis of colon cancer. His terrible health issues have not abated. Bland, 51, learned that his brother had lung cancer just a few days before he made his Senior PGA Championship debut in May. A significant portion of the trip has been difficult, and although Bland’s decline was closely connected to his brother’s hardship— “there have been times when my head is not in it,” he says — success on the golf course is now seen as a small coping mechanism for him and his family.
When he thought of Heath, and the potentially fatal blood clots in his body, and how he had since had his prostate, bladder, and most of his gut removed, making bogeys and missing cuts used to seem unimportant. Bland’s voice is painfully deep when he talks about other symptoms and outcomes. Heath had to have surgery to install two colostomy bags to collect waste, which prevents him from using the restroom. Every day, his brother, who is becoming more and more of a fan favorite on LIV, is motivated to overcome it.
Though in very different circumstances, Bland’s grit and perseverance are evident, and this week at the JCB Country Club, which is close to The Belfry, the location of that victory that defined his career at the British Masters, the bright former European Tour grinder is aiming for a fairytale ending.
WHAT A SHOT! 😱
Richard Bland’s clutch bunker shot en route to victory! pic.twitter.com/G3sbdg6jXJ
— USGA (@USGA) July 1, 2024
Bland could have been teeing it up at Carnoustie this week in the hopes of making it three majors in a row at The Senior Open, but his loyalty to LIV and decision not to pay outstanding fines to the DP World Tour disqualify him. Bland joined Alex Cejka (2021) and Arnold Palmer (1980-81) as the only men to win their first two senior major starts.
“I knew the position from last year so it’s not on my mind,” he says. “I was never going back to the DP World Tour, not when my LIV career finishes, either, so I didn’t see the point in giving them a million dollars. I didn’t even ask LIV for a release because my priorities are here.”
Rather, Bland is aiming for the triumph that would provide the highest level of fulfillment. A triumph on LIV. “Against this field — which includes players like Bryson (DeChambeau), Cam Smith, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm — over a 54-hole course. That would be unique.
A special guest is stoking the fire. In order to attend one of LIV’s largest events to yet, Heath postponed his lung cancer surgery for a week. Bland remarks, “I am not really happy with it.”“but I’ve managed to get him a buggy because he can’t walk, and it will be great to have him around, of course.”
During a difficult period, some attention has been diverted by a career comeback. The two have cried a great deal of tears together as they support one another nonstop, but this week’s victory would surpass them all.
Emotions between the brothers were running high, and a long-awaited trip to Augusta National at the end of 2023 set up uncontrolled waterworks.
“I reached out to a friend in 2017 to see if we could play but it was delayed because my brother lost around 40 (pounds) and needed time to recover,” Bland says. “But to get there and see him make three gross birdies was one of the best days of my life. We were actually crying our eyes out. For him to make three birdies, well you should have seen the look on his face.”
That kind of memorable encounter is not taken for granted, Bland says. Additionally, meaningful connections are more significant than financial gain and professional achievement. “since I do not have a lot of remaining game time.”
The biggest game-changer, according to him, was meeting his second wife, Kate, shortly before that much-discussed first win. “I am much better at not taking awful golf back home because of her. Finding the proper companion simply inspires you to improve yourself.
Time with his brother is also precious. A trip to Arizona is planned for later in the year. Just the lads. Playing golf for fun in the sun. “Let’s see how his surgery goes but there’s a flight for him waiting. He doesn’t deserve any more suffering. If he wants to buggy around that’s fine.”
Bland’s ability to support his brother in his cancer fight has been made possible by his financial independence. He is unwavering in his assertion that he did not receive a signing-on fee like other players and that he joined LIV in order to play for significant compensation.. “LIV has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to live the rest of my life, not that I’m an extravagant person.”
Bland chuckles at the opulent lifestyle some of his friends lead and remarks on how far away he is from private planes and other pleasures. When asked about his travel plans, he laughs and says, “I mean, if there is a fantastic first-class ticket I might take that.” Aside from purchasing a “few great watches,” he would rather spend money on family-friendly activities.
He had a good upbringing in a modest home. “I have always had a pretty decent understanding of what money is worth since my parents always put food on the table, but they had to struggle for everything, and it imprinted that in myself, my brother, and my sister.”
Although Bland recently bought a new Porsche Cayenne, it was his first vehicle purchase in 20 years. “I always leased a car through the DP World Tour and I can’t do that now! There are players who have a Lamborghini here and another in Spain but that wouldn’t make me feel any better. I’d rather have my (satisfaction) on the golf course.”
His one guilty pleasure is … wait for it … “a new pair of socks every day. I love that.” Rolling them up in pursuit of a £4 million top prize is now the priority in Staffordshire this week, in a year where he has already topped £10 m in LIV prize money alone.
It is not bad for a person who, as he pushed for what looked like an elusive win a few years ago, was hardly acknowledged at events; now, team members are putting up placards with messages like “Blandemonium on the Blandepodium”.
Prominent figures at The Wisley, close to his Woking residence, where he trains between competitions, speak of a resilient, hardened performer who relishes the process of honing his skill. Although the club has 14 tour players on staff, Bland frequently teams up with any group that is there at the same time. Since his recent ascent to prominence, members have found him to be even more personable. There will not be an empty seat in the house as a BBQ is planned to commemorate his accomplishment this summer.
Did he ever grow tired of being a loser after all those days?“No, because I never lost. And what else was I going to do? Golf was always going to be my life, it just took me a little longer to get where I wanted to be.”
While completing the Bland Slam of three majors may not be in the cards, he will triumphantly return to the U.S. Senior Open the following year.
“I get to host the dinner and I think I’ll go for my mum’s homemade lamb roast. She might even come with me and cook it.”
(Top photo: Brennan Asplen / Getty Images)
