After securing his spot for another season on the LIV Golf circuit, Richard Bland sat down with Today’s Golfer’s Michael Catling for a candid conversation. At 52, the Englishman has reached a stage of his career where honesty trumps diplomacy. In this interview, he doesn’t shy away from tough questions about his move to LIV Golf, his strained relationship with the DP World Tour, and his thoughts on retirement.
“I Joined LIV for the Money, And I’m Not Ashamed of It”
While others often say they joined LIV Golf to help the sport grow, Bland is honest about his reasons. He says, “That was one of the main reasons I came to LIV. I had the chance to shape my future the way I wanted. At my age, I think most people would do the same. It’s easy to judge when you’re not in that position.”
Bland’s honesty is rare in a sport where players often stick to polished PR lines. After more than twenty years working hard on the European (now DP World) Tour for modest pay, LIV’s better pay and shorter schedule finally gave him a chance to look after his future.
“I’ve always worked hard,” he says. “LIV hasn’t changed who I am, it’s just given me the freedom to call it quits on my own terms. I don’t have to worry about what comes next.”
For most of his career, Richard Bland was known as a journeyman, the kind of player fans quietly supported. It took him 478 tries to finally win his first DP World Tour event at the 2021 British Masters, a moment that made all his hard work worth it.
“The overriding feeling was satisfaction,” he reflects. “Until you win, there’s always that seed of doubt. But that moment showed me I could compete. Looking back, maybe what’s happened since wouldn’t have been possible without that win.”
Even after a long journey, Bland says he has no regrets. “When I started, just reaching the European Tour was my dream. Sure, you want more – to win, to play in majors, but I’ve done a lot. If anything, I wish I’d focused on the mental side sooner. Back then, seeing a psychologist wasn’t seen as part of improving your game. That probably slowed me down.”
The Financial Reality of Life on Tour
For every superstar in golf, there are dozens like Bland- players scraping by, often on the edge of losing their tour cards. He recalls the financial strain vividly. “I didn’t buy my first property until I knew I could afford it,” he says. “I was still living with my parents at 28 or 29. I didn’t want to put myself in a position where missing a six-foot putt meant I couldn’t play next week.”
That practical way of thinking helped him get through the tough times, like when he lost his tour card in 2017. “That was tough,” he says. “I was 45 and wondering, ‘What now?’ But I believed if I played my best, I’d make it back—and I did.”
The LIV Chapter
Contrary to popular belief, Bland didn’t receive a massive signing bonus to join LIV. “I never signed a multi-million-dollar deal,” he clarifies. “I didn’t get a penny upfront. Every year I’ve had to earn my spot by finishing in the top 24.”
His path to LIV began almost by chance. “I was playing the WGC Match Play in Austin and walking with Lee Westwood,” he recalls. “He asked if LIV had approached me. I said, ‘Why would they want me?’ A few weeks later, the offer came. Lee planted the seed.”
Now, Bland has earned more than $18 million in three years, but he says it hasn’t changed who he is. “I’m still the same person. I just don’t have to worry about the future.”
The Rift with the DP World Tour
Bland’s relationship with the DP World Tour, where he spent most of his career, has become strained since he joined LIV. “I love the DP World Tour. They gave me the chance to play at the highest level,” he says. “But at that point in my career, I would have been crazy to say no to LIV.”
The consequences have been tough. Like other LIV players, he faces bans and big fines that keep him from playing in DP World events or even senior tournaments in Europe. “I can’t play the Legends Tour because of the fines, and I’m not paying them,” he says. “It’s a shame because I’d love to play the Senior Open in front of a home crowd. But they’ve made that impossible.”
Bland thinks this strict approach is bad for the sport. “The Tour is cutting off its nose to spite its face. Guys like Lee, Poults, and I have given so much to European golf-it’s sad to see it come to this.”
Retirement on His Own Terms
Now entering his 50s, Bland is realistic about the road ahead. “I want to retire from the game. I don’t want the game to retire me,” he says. “As long as I feel competitive, I’ll keep playing, hopefully with LIV. But five years from now? No, I don’t see myself playing full-time.”
Even when his playing days end, Bland hopes to stay connected to LIV, perhaps in a mentoring or team role. “It’s like nicotine,” he laughs. “You still need a little bit of it. My wife tells me I’ll never retire completely, and she’s probably right.”
A Legacy Built on Honesty and Grit
In a sport that usually values image and tradition, Richard Bland’s story is different because of his honesty and determination. He went from living with his parents in his late twenties to earning millions in his fifties, showing the less glamorous side of professional golf.
He may not have the major trophies or Ryder Cup appearances of his peers, but Bland has something just as rare, authenticity. “I’ve worked for everything I’ve got,” he says. “I know how hard it’s been, and I appreciate every bit of it.”
For Richard Bland, the next chapter isn’t about fame or making up for anything. It’s about leaving the game on his own terms, something he’s earned through years of hard work.
