LIV Golf star’s bold confession over rebel league sums up job Greg Norman has done
Richard Bland, a prominent figure in LIV Golf, has made a striking revelation about his ambitions in the sport. Following a stellar 2024 that saw him clinch two senior major titles, the English golfer is now focused on securing his first LIV Golf victory at the LIV Golf Greenbrier this weekend.
At 51 years old, Bland has recently experienced a career resurgence, particularly on the senior major stage. In May, he made an impressive debut at the Senior PGA Championship, winning by three shots at Harbor Shores Golf Club. His success continued in June when he captured the Senior US Open title in a dramatic playoff at Newport Country Club. These achievements marked significant milestones in Bland’s career, affirming his skill and perseverance after years of journeyman status on the DP World Tour.
Despite these notable accomplishments, Bland is setting his sights on a new prize. As he heads into the final round at LIV Golf Greenbrier, he finds himself in a strong position, having played two bogey-free rounds of six-under-par 64. This performance leaves him just two shots behind the leader, Jon Rahm. With only 18 holes remaining, Bland is determined to secure his first win on the LIV circuit.
Bland’s comments on his current pursuit reveal the weight he places on a potential LIV victory. In a recent interview, he candidly expressed that a win at Greenbrier would surpass even his senior major victories from earlier in the year. He attributed this sentiment to the high caliber of players in the LIV field, highlighting the competitive nature of the tour. Bland remarked, “I think you would have to put it above everything. Personally, I think, just because of the standard of the players that you’re playing against. Obviously, I don’t mean that in any way to play down a senior major. Obviously, that’s still a great achievement. But to look at the leaderboard that’s in front of you, it’s pretty stacked. Yeah, if you came out on top tomorrow, that would be, for me, career defining, I think.”
The challenge Bland faces is formidable. He must contend with a leaderboard featuring some of the most accomplished players in the game, including Rahm, a former world No. 1, as well as Talor Gooch, the 2023 LIV individual champion, and Cameron Smith, the 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year. The presence of these elite competitors underscores the competitive landscape of the LIV Golf tour, making Bland’s potential triumph even more significant.
Bland’s performance and his standing in the tournament are a testament to his enduring skill and competitive spirit. He acknowledges that being in contention with the world’s top players at his age is a significant achievement in itself. Reflecting on his current form, Bland noted, “At my age to still be competing with these guys kind of says a lot about my game. It would be nice to get that completely wrapped up going into Chicago in a couple of weeks.”
As he prepares for the final round, Bland is focused on playing one shot at a time, aiming to secure a victory without letting the pressure overwhelm him. He will be playing in the penultimate group on Sunday, teeing off alongside Ripper GC teammates Smith and Lucas Herbert. His approach to the final round will be methodical, as he looks to capitalize on his strong performance and seize the opportunity to make his mark on the LIV Golf tour.
In summary, Richard Bland’s journey through 2024 has been marked by significant achievements, but his quest for a LIV Golf victory at Greenbrier represents a defining moment in his career. His bold statement about the importance of this potential win highlights the high regard in which he holds the LIV circuit and underscores the impressive job done by Greg Norman in shaping this breakaway tour.
