LIV Golf’s Richard Bland has earned £8.1 million [$10,336,858] since joining the organisation in 2022, surpassing high-profile signings in Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, and Majesticks GC team co-captain, Lee Westwood.
Hailing from England, Bland started playing in 1996. He joined the LIV golf tour during its first season in 2022. Throughout his career, the 51-year-old veteran has participated in various tours and achieved a remarkable feat in 2021 by becoming the oldest golfer to win a DP World Tour event, where he claimed the British Masters title.
In 2022, Bland reached a career-high ranking of No. 48 and finished fourth in Bangkok during the inaugural LIV Golf season with a -14 score. His efforts were surpassed by Paul Casey, Patrick Reed, and tournament winner Eugenio Lopez-Charcarra, who finished with a -19 score.
While LIV’s source of income has raised concerns within the golf community, Bland said joining the Saudi-backed organisation was one of his life’s best decisions.
“I’m just glad to be still playing on LIV,” Bland said before the Las Vegas tournament this season. “It’s the best decision I ever made at 49, two and a half years ago when I first joined.”
“I love being on the Cleeks. I’ve been pretty much a Cleek now for most of my time on LIV,” he continued.” I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is where I belong.”
Although Bland has not won any event under LIV’s banner yet, his best finish exceeds Mickelson’s, a tie for sixth place at Jeddah this season. Mickelson is currently ranked No. 27 after four events this season and has yet to finish among the top 30 players. However, it will be his best finish if he continues at this pace.
Bland is currently ranked 21st in the standings, which is close to his 20th-place finish in 2023 and 22nd-place finish in 2022. In 2022 and 2023, his team, Cleeks, finished in 10th place. Currently, they are ranked at No. 11.
* List provided by National Club Golfer.
