LIV golfer Richard Bland plays not just for himself after getting late breakthrough in career

SINGAPORE – Patience is a virtue in a sport like golf and Richard Bland knows that all too well.

While he turned professional in 1996, the Englishman’s first victory on the DP World Tour came only on his 478th start at the 2021 British Masters. At 48 years and 101 days, his triumph at The Belfry made him the oldest first-time winner on the European Tour.

The 52-year-old has since followed up his feats with two senior Majors in 2024, winning the Senior PGA Championship and the US Senior Open. He also placed 19th out of 57 in the 2024 LIV individual standings, beating out competition from golfers in their 20s and 30s.

Did he ever anticipate having such a long-lasting career? Not at this level, he said.

“Would I have liked more success in my earlier career? Of course, everybody would want that. But your career is what your career is. I’m fortunate that my success has probably come a little bit later,” added Bland on the sidelines of the March 14-16 LIV Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.

“Maybe it’s better this way that I’ve had the success later, so you’ve got a little bit more longevity in the game – you see guys have a lot of success early in their career, and then maybe at 40, they’re not relevant any more.”

While Bland has gained perspective in hindsight, waiting for his breakthrough was no easy task.

He had come close before, finishing in the top three on five occasions before his maiden DP World Tour title. Along the way, he lost his European Tour card thrice.

Bland said: “It definitely took a lot of patience, 20 years of it. That’s probably what held me back a little bit – usually professional sports people, we’re not the most patient people, we want stuff like right away, and when it doesn’t come, sometimes it’s frustrating.

“But you’ve got to kind of put that aside and as long as you know you’re on the right road, just keep going, then success will come, if you believe that.”

A major source of motivation was his elder brother Heath, whose battle with several health issues has inspired him.

About eight years ago, a heart condition left Heath in a coma for about six weeks. This affected Bland, whose performances dipped, which eventually cost him his DP World Tour card.

Things worsened as his brother was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Then, two days before Bland was set to make his Senior PGA Championship debut in May 2024, he received news that Heath had lung cancer.

He contemplated whether to compete in the senior Major, before eventually deciding to.

The devastating series of events motivated Bland to play well, as he hoped to bring happiness to his brother and family.

He even gave his brother his replica Senior PGA Championship trophy, now displayed at his sister’s house in Spain, where Heath lives.

Bland said: “I tried to use it as an inspiration... He always watches (my tournaments) live and if I play well, that gives him something positive to see, to make him happy and that makes me happy. So I just tried to channel it in the right way.”

This ordeal and nearly three decades of experiences as a professional have reshaped the way Bland views his career.

The reception to Bland’s British Masters win was also eye-opening for him, as he received thousands of messages from people telling him that his feat inspired them to carry on through difficult moments in their own lives.

He has kept these messages and revisits them during tough times. Bland explained: “Everyone has their own problems and challenges.

“At the end of the day, we’re incredibly fortunate to do what we love. Even when things aren’t going our way, there are people who would trade places with us in a heartbeat.”

He treasures life beyond golf more, taking the time to explore the countries he is in for tournaments, when he is not practising or competing.

Ahead of LIV Singapore, Bland went to Gardens by the Bay to watch a light show, something he would not have done in his 20s.

Uncertain of how much time he has left as a professional golfer, Bland strives to make the most of the rest of his career.

He said: “Right now my focus is LIV and hopefully, if I can play another couple of years out here, that would be fantastic. I know I’ve got to play to an unbelievable standard to be able to do that, but I feel I can do it.”