LIV Golf star, 52, lauds Bryson DeChambeau impact ahead of title defense
Richard Bland has been a remarkable late bloomer in professional golf, and the 52-year-old credits his LIV Golf rivals with inspiring him to play the best golf of his career
At 52, Richard Bland is disproving the notion of golfers peaking early, giving credit to fellow LIV Golf icons Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Brooks Koepka for his surge in performance.
Two decades into his professional career, Bland finally clinched victory at the British Masters in 2021. Now, as a pioneer member of LIV Golf, he's been showing consistent prowess since the series' inception last year.
While he's a force to be reckoned with among today's top golfers, Bland's also made his mark on the senior circuit—clinching titles at both the Senior PGA Championship and this year’s Senior U.S. Open.
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Fresh off a respectable tied-37th spot at the PGA Championship, Bland is poised to defend his Senior PGA title at Congressional Country Club, Maryland. He attributes his late-blooming success to the challenge LIV Golf represents, striving to match the caliber of elite peers like DeChambeau, Koepka, and Rahm.
Bland shared with BBC: "My game has definitely improved since joining the LIV Tour - it had to if I'm going to compete," emphasizing the necessity of excellence when facing top-tier competitors regularly.
"Someone like Jon last week [at the PGA Championship] proved he is a top-five player in the world, so is Bryson, and to be able to go up against those guys 14 times a year will only enhance my game."
Defending champion Bland emerges as the bookies' top pick to clinch victory again at Congressional come Sunday, but he's up against a formidable roster featuring golf greats like Ernie Els, Stewart Cink, and Padraig Harrington.
Even the controversy-laden Angel Cabrera throws his hat in the ring, aiming to build on his comeback trail in professional golf following a stint in prison for domestic abuse, fresh off a win at the Regions Tradition for his first senior major triumph.
"My game is in pretty good shape right now," Bland confidently remarked. "If I play the golf I know I can play, I am confident I can be in the hunt come Sunday [but] there are a lot of legends out here that can still play to a very high level.
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"I'm under no illusions that I'll just turn up and take the trophy - I'll have to play some of my stronger golf just to stand a chance and hopefully I can do that. Whatever happens this week it's been an honour and privilege to be champion and hopefully that can continue."
Currently ranked 17th in the LIV standings after competing in seven events this season, with impressive top-10 placements in Australia and South Korea, Bland is gearing up for his next challenge on the rebel tour, set to commence at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Virginia, on June 6.
