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