LIV Golf star goes against the grain and risks irking new employers after leaving PGA Tour
Richard Bland, a name recently spotlighted in the golfing world, has risked sparking controversy with his new employers after candidly revealing the true reason behind his departure from the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Bland, now standing alongside golf giants such as Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, and Bryson DeChambeau, is one of many players who made the significant leap to the controversial tour.
Bland’s career trajectory took a notable turn when he won the US Senior Open, adding a major victory to his portfolio. However, his career before joining LIV Golf in 2022 had seen fluctuating success on both the PGA and European Tours. It was amidst this backdrop of mixed fortunes that Bland made a choice that has since stirred significant debate and speculation within the golfing community.
In a recent interview with Golf Monthly, Bland did not mince words about his motivations for joining LIV Golf, risking the ire of his new employers by stating bluntly that his decision was driven solely by financial gain. “That was purely why I did it,” Bland asserted. “I wasn’t trying to pull the wool over anybody’s eyes. I was honest and upfront about why I joined LIV, and it was purely for the money.”
Bland’s straightforward admission stands in stark contrast to the narratives often spun around the LIV Golf league, which frequently emphasize aspects such as growing the game and enhancing its global reach. “I know people have been slated, you know, ‘it’s growing the game, it’s doing this, doing that, whatever.’ I purely went for one thing and one thing only, and I’m not ashamed to say that,” Bland continued. “I had the opportunity to make my life, my family’s life, and whatever we do as a family a lot easier, so as I say, it was a no-brainer.”
The financial rewards of Bland’s decision are undeniable. In his inaugural year with LIV Golf, Bland earned over £2.7 million, a sum that was significantly bolstered with an additional £3.4 million in 2023. By the midpoint of 2024, Bland had accumulated a further £1.7 million from the LIV money list, along with substantial winnings from his victories at the Senior PGA Championships (£493,000) and the US Senior Open (£626,000).
Despite the potential backlash from such a candid revelation, Bland remains unapologetic about his motivations. He also clarified that his move to LIV Golf did not involve any signing-on bonuses, contrasting his experience with the substantial payouts received by marquee players like DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. “As I’ve said many times, like I know a lot of people who believe me when I say this, but LIV didn’t offer me a dollar. It was just purely the opportunity to play,” Bland emphasized.
“No matter what people might think, whether I’m lying or not telling the truth on this side, I’ve got nothing to hide. I never have. So it was just purely the opportunity to play, and I had to play well enough to stay on LIV. Obviously, it was a decision that I had to talk to my wife and to my family about, and in the end, it was quite an easy decision for me. I didn’t sign for one penny, and that was fine. I don’t begrudge the guys that signed for tens of millions or whatever; they earned it. That’s fine.”
Bland’s frankness about his financial motivations presents a starkly human element within the often polished and politically correct world of professional sports. His story underscores the personal and financial considerations that can drive professional athletes’ decisions, painting a broader picture of the complex landscape of modern golf.
As Richard Bland continues his journey with LIV Golf, his candid reflections will undoubtedly continue to provoke discussion and debate, both within the golfing world and beyond. His story is a reminder that, at the end of the day, athletes are individuals making choices for themselves and their families, often navigating a landscape of opportunities and challenges that extend far beyond the fairways and greens.
