The recent victory of 51-year-old Richard Bland at the Senior PGA Championship has been overshadowed by the announcement that he will not receive the customary one-year PGA Tour Champions exemption. Bland, who received a special invitation to compete in the over-50s event, secured a decisive win, finishing three shots ahead of the competition in his inaugural senior start. This achievement represents his first triumph since the 2021 British Masters on the European Tour.
Bland’s path to success at the Senior PGA Championship began with his decision to depart from the European Tour and join the LIV Golf Invitational Series following a fine and suspension for his performance at the US Open. However, this move continues to have consequences for his standing in senior golf.
Notwithstanding his remarkable victory, the PGA TOUR stated that due to his participation in an unsanctioned event, Bland will not qualify for TOUR-affiliated events. The statement also emphasized that the PGA of America, USGA, and R&A each adhere to their own specific criteria. Consequently, Bland will only be exempt for the US Senior Open overseen by the USGA, and the opportunity to defend his Senior PGA Championship title at Congressional Country Club next year.
During a post-victory press conference, Bland conveyed his enthusiasm for the upcoming events, expressing his excitement for the future while savoring his recent triumph. He also reiterated his dedication to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf, expressing his intention to continue competing in the series for as long as possible.
When questioned about the possibility of participating in the PGA Tour Champions, Bland revealed that it is not currently under consideration for him. He acknowledged the tour’s reputation as the most challenging to break into and disclosed that he would need to attend a qualifying school if he were to pursue that path in the future. However, Bland maintained that he is not yet certain about his retirement plans, conceding that his wife is convinced he will never retire from the sport.
Looking ahead, Bland’s schedule includes two upcoming LIV Golf events in Houston and Nashville before returning to the US for the Senior Open. He will be competing as part of Martin Kaymer’s team in the league, following a strong performance with an 8th place finish in Hong Kong, marking his fifth top-ten finish in just three years.
As Richard Bland navigates the complexities of professional golf and aims to continue making an impact on the senior stage, the future holds a mix of excitement and uncertainty.