"Best Decision I Ever Made": Richard Bland Reflects on LIV Golf Move After Years of Proving Himself
July 12, 2025, Cadiz, Cadiz, SPAIN: Richard Bland of Cleeks team looks on during day two of the LIV Golf Andalucia at Golf Club Royal of Valderrama on July 12, 2025 in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20250712_zaa_a181_214 Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcherox
July 12, 2025, Cadiz, Cadiz, SPAIN: Richard Bland of Cleeks team looks on during day two of the LIV Golf Andalucia at Golf Club Royal of Valderrama on July 12, 2025 in Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz SPAIN - ZUMAa181 20250712_zaa_a181_214 Copyright: xJoaquinxCorcherox
England's Richard Bland was one of the first players to switch to LIV. Now, as LIV stands at a crossroads, the 53-year-old looked back at his decision with contentment.
To lure big names, LIV offered lucrative contracts to its marquee players. However, Bland knew he wasn't going to be a recipient of those contracts.
"Unbelievable players came with well-publicized big contracts. I knew that wasn't going to be coming my way. I had to play well to keep my place. I've had to play year-on-year. Fortunately, I was able to do that, so it's the best decision I ever made," said Bland.
Jun 29, 2025; Carrollton, Texas, USA; Richard Bland plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of the LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament at Maridoe Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Jun 29, 2025; Carrollton, Texas, USA; Richard Bland plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of the LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament at Maridoe Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Bland joined the team-based league alongside other LIV originals like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood on Day 1.
The Cleeks GC player has played some of his best golf since the switch to LIV. Being one of the second-oldest players in the league along with Lee Westwood and after Phil Mickelson, Bland has gone toe-to-toe against players almost half his age.
"Those guys that came across first, we all had each other's backs. We're all in the same. Some more than others took the heat, but we all stood together," said Bland.
With uncertainty surrounding the league's future, the Day 1 LIV golfers are sticking together and backing the management.
LIV CEO Scott O'Neil has been spearheading future plans as the league actively seeks investment in the range of $250 million to $350 million.
Bland Decides Upon His Future
Long before the investment hiatus took place in LIV, Bland had made the decision to end his full-time career in 2027.
"I pretty much earmarked next year as being my last year of playing full-time," Bland explained. "I'm at that stage where 2027 is still a little bit up in the air for me, as it is a little bit for everybody, but I'll cross that bridge when it comes."
Last month at LIV Virginia, Bland revealed that he won't be able to join the PGA Tour Champions. The DP World Tour and the Legends Tour have also revoked his membership due to the switch to LIV Golf.
"But we've got Scott, our CEO. He is doing a tremendous job," said Bland.
The team-based league remains the only option for Bland in the future, and he places full trust in O'Neil to figure things out for LIV.
Follow Club Golf for more.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav