LIV Golf star equals Jack Nicklaus with remarkable feat and sends message to PGA Tour
LIV Golf star Richard Bland has wrote his name alongside the great Jack Nicklaus in the sport's history books, after winning the US Senior Open at Newport Country Club on Monday.
Bland has won his second consecutive senior major championship, after winning on debut at the Senior PGA Championship last month. In doing so he joins an illustrious group of players alongside Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Roger Chapman and Colin Montgomerie in winning both the Senior PGA and Senior US Open.
The event in Newport, Rhode Island was set to finish as usual on Sunday, but adverse weather conditions ensured the second half of the fourth and final round needed to be completed 24 hours later.
And following the delay, Bland capitalised, cutting a three-shot deficit with eight holes to play in dramatic fashion. Having battled his way to the top of the leaderboard, the Englishman look set to get his hands on the title, however a bogey at the 18th ensured he would head to a playoff Hiroyuki Fujita.
And after four playoff holes, it was Bland who finally prevailed thanks to a piece of excellence from the bunker. The LIV star flew his attempt from the sand straight at the pin, bouncing off the flag leaving him a kick-in par to secure victory over Fujita who could only make bogey.
In becoming champion, Bland banked himself a cool £633,000 ($800k) as well as a second major crown. In the aftermath, Bland said: "This is very special. I'm struggling to put this into words right now. It was a tough day, we were chasing him all week. I think he had the lead pretty much wire-to-wire.
For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US.
Richard Bland is a man in form
"I made a great birdie on 15 to go one in front and tried to trip over myself on the last. I'm just thrilled beyond words to be stood here. To go two-for-two is beyond my wildest dreams." Bland has made just nine starts at regular major championships during his career, but has become a dominant figure on the major scene.
The 51-year-old's move to the LIV setup in 2022 appears to have revitalised his career, having found his best form towards the latter stage of his playing days. His victory at the PGA last month was set to be rewarded with starts on the PGA Tour's Champions Tour, but his LIV loyalties have seen him miss out on these exemptions.
The Tour remains locked in a battle with the LIV setup, having suspended any player who has opted to sign with the Saudi-backed series. And whilst Bland has never even been a member of the American-based circuit previously, his allegiances with LIV ensure he is unable to compete in Senior events sanctioned by the PGA Tour.