Richard Bland has admitted that he compromised on the ‘moral high ground’ to join the lucrative LIV Golf league. He added that it was easier for some people to take the moral high ground when they’d never received such an offer.
Bland, a former European Tour professional, joined the LIV Golf circuit in 2022 for a lucrative paycheck. He represents Cleeks GC and has recently seen a resurgence in his career after winning two consecutive senior major championships.
In a recent conversation with Dan Parker of Golf Monthly, Richard Bland reflected on his decision to join the Saudi-backed circuit. He mentioned that most people of his age and career stage would have made the same choice. However, he accepted that some might have opted to take the moral high ground and not accept the Saudi money.
“But I’ve said to people I said like it’s very easy to take the moral high ground when it’s not there in front of you,” he said. “I’ve said a few times in record, if I turned up to somebody’s house that was giving me a hard time over it. If I turn up with a briefcase of say $5 million in a briefcase. And look this is yours. Now this will set up your family for the rest of your life.
“It’ll put your kids through private education if you want that it secures their future, your future whatever you want to do for the rest of your life. I said but this is where the money has come from. The briefcase will be on the other side of the door within 5 Seconds, it would because it’s there in front of them.
The two-time senior major champion said that it was easy for them to give suggestions when the money wasn’t offered to them.
“That’s your opinion and that’s absolutely fine we all have it,” he continued. “But when that opportunity is there and I still had to prove myself to be able to do it”
He said that knowing that there were just seven events in the first season, this decision was a big risk for them. However, he felt it was a risk worth taking as he believed in his ability.
“I believed enough in my ability that if I play well if I know play how the way I can play I can compete there unfortunately it’s paid off,” he added.
What’s next for Richard Bland?
Richard Bland will next compete at the LIV Golf Andalucia which will be played at the Real Club Valderrama from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 14.
Bland has registered a few good performances in the past couple of months. He won the Senior PGA Championship last month, which was followed by the US Senior Open win this week. Besides, he also tied for ninth at LIV Golf Nashville, which was his second top-ten of the season.
As of now, Richard Bland is placed 25th in the season standings. His team Cleeks GC is placed seventh in team standings.
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Edited by Shobhit Kukreti
