A Year After Their Ugly LIV Golf Feud, DPWT Pro Delivers A Shocking Richard Bland Verdict: ‘Elevated His Game’

A recent turn of events has put DP World Tour pro, Eddie Pepperell in the spotlight due to his unexpected compliments for fellow golfer Richard Bland. This is not his first time that Pepperell has spoken about Bland. The two engaged in a war of words last year. However, this year, the DPWT pro seems to have forgotten all about it. being in the news this year. In an interview with “The Chipping Forecast,” he questioned Bryson DeChambeau’s sincerity in his conduct during the PGA Championship.

In an interview with The Chipping Forecast podcast, Pepperell expressed his admiration for Bland’s elevated game when speaking to Laurie Canter. “I said to Laurie yesterday, it would have been strange expecting him not to win, because the standard on LIV at the very top is clearly very high and he has been competing at that level. So all credit to him, he has elevated his game over the last few years to a very high level.”

Pepperell publicly applauded Richard Bland’s recent Senior PGA Championship victory, which stands in stark contrast to his criticism of DeChambeau. Bland’s win is noteworthy, particularly in light of his most recent stint with LIV Golf. This was Bland’s debut at the Senior PGA Championship, and sadly, he has not received a 1-year exemption to play on the PGA Tour Champions. The announcement was made by the PGA Tour.

Additionally, Pepperell is skeptical about DeChambeau‘s recent rise in popularity, particularly after his impressive handling of a fan-related disturbance at Valhalla. “The cynic in me gives it at least a 50/50 chance that he’s not genuine,” he said. Pepperell acknowledged DeChambeau’s contributions to golf and his distinct style, but he also raised the possibility that the golfer’s public presence was occasionally more theatrical than genuine. On the other hand, his opinions on Richard Bland are much better.

Even though Pepperell and Bland had a public falling out in the past, he put their issues aside to celebrate his fellow golfer’s accomplishment.

Richard Bland and Eddie Pepperell’s contrasting opinions on LIV Golf

Bland, who has been in the sport for more than 20 years, has fewer wins but a longer tenure than Pepperell, who is well-known for his sharp humor and strong opinions. Bland’s more reserved and sometimes contentious online contacts stand in stark contrast to Pepperell’s lively and frequently hilarious social media presence. Pepperell made a direct statement on X last year, saying that he “won more tournaments in 15 minutes on tour than (Bland) did in 22 years.”

This came as a response to Bland’s tweet, where he said, “Ed.. tell me where on DP World there’s been a hole like this? Because in 22yrs of playing the tour I can’t think of any. But maybe your 15 minutes on tour you know different.” Their contrasting opinions on contemporary golf scandals were revealed in a public Twitter altercation. As a LIV golfer, Bland enthusiastically promoted his entry into the new series but later expressed regret for his words, blaming them on alcohol at the moment. Bland admitted that his actions online were wrong and said, “I shouldn’t tweet when I’ve been drinking.”

Eddie Pepperell’s recent remarks perfectly capture the complex dynamics of relationships in the world of professional golf. His doubts about Bryson DeChambeau’s sincerity stand in stark contrast to his admiration for Richard Bland, showing the range of respect and suspicion that defines relationships between elite golfers. These conversations add to the sport’s rich storylines as it develops, giving spectators an insight into the nuanced characters and compelling narratives that underline the action.