Renowned figure of the LIV Golf League, Richard Bland, has recently disclosed his intention to retire from the sport once his tenure in the esteemed league comes to an end. The 51-year-old Englishman achieved a significant victory on his senior debut at the Senior PGA Championship in Michigan last week. The triumph was particularly poignant for Bland, who had received the distressing news of his brother Heath’s lung cancer diagnosis just before the tournament. This news came after Heath had already been battling bowel cancer for a year, in addition to other serious health issues.
Bland’s resurgence in the LIV circuit has been partly driven by his desire to provide financial support for his ailing brother. However, witnessing Heath’s suffering has also given Bland a new perspective on life. Despite experiencing a late surge in his golf career, including his first DP World Tour win in 2021, Bland anticipates he has approximately 18 months left before bidding farewell to professional golf.
In an interview with The Times, Bland expressed, “Whenever I lose my spot on LIV, I think that will be me done, regardless of how I’m playing. I’ve got maybe another 18 months left and then I’ll cross that bridge. After what’s happened with Heath, and other people I know who are no longer with us or have health issues, I’m in a fortunate position where I can enjoy my life.”
He further added, “I love what I do, I’ll never stop playing golf, but I’ve travelled the world without seeing an awful lot of it. I’d like to do that while I’m still fit and able, I’d like to go on golf trips with friends and just have fun without competing.”
Despite his retirement plans, Bland will not have the opportunity to compete on the PGA Tour Champions via an exemption for winning his senior major. This is due to the PGA Tour’s ruling that Bland is contracted to the LIV circuit and cannot participate in other tours. At present, Bland, a member of the Cleeks GC team led by Martin Kaymer, currently holds the 25th spot in LIV’s individual standings midway through the 2024 season.
The announcement of Bland’s retirement plan has stirred interest and emotions within the golfing community. As he prepares to transition into a new chapter in his life, his colleagues and fans alike are sure to follow him on this journey.
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