Richard Bland wants the R&A to let LIV Golf players like him and Lee Westwood play in the Senior Open Championship.
Bland, who won two senior Majors back-to-back, can’t compete in the Senior Open because of a ban by the DP World Tour for not paying fines from playing in LIV events.
The 51-year-old golfer believes that the R&A should stand up to the DP World Tour and allow all players to participate.
R&A vs. DP World Tour
Lee Westwood has already expressed his unhappiness with this rule, and now Bland is joining him. He thinks that since it’s an open event, everyone should be allowed to play. “The R&A needed to stand up to the DP World Tour and go, ‘Look, this is an open event, not a closed event,’” Bland said during an interview.
Interestingly enough, even if allowed to play at Carnoustie for the Senior Open Championship, Bland might skip it due to a scheduling conflict with a LIV Golf UK event happening at JCB Golf Club. Fans might find this surprising given his recent success.
Bland admitted that his move to LIV was “purely for the money” and that he prioritizes playing in their events over senior Majors now. He mentioned he’d have to think hard about choosing between them if given a chance.
“My priorities are there [with LIV], and even if [I could] go play, I don’t know,” he added thoughtfully.
Fines and Bans
Players like Thomas Pieters and Patrick Reed managed to participate in recent tournaments after paying their fines. However, Bland has no plans of settling his dues or asking LIV for help with payments since he doesn’t intend on returning to DP World Tour events anyway.
“LIV didn’t pay my fines and I didn’t want them to,” said Bland firmly. “I was never going back there.”
What do you think about these rules? Should all golfers be allowed to compete?
