It was his senior major debut at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. Richard Bland was taking a bit of time off from LIV Golf to take part in the prestigious event. An eagle on the par-5 15th on the final day took him into a 1-shot lead ahead of Greg Chalmers. He followed the same with three pars and claimed his first major win on the senior circuit. But little did he know, his LIV affiliation would deprive him of a customary tradition and practice.

A post was shared by Bob Harig on his X handle just hours ago mentioning the same. He pointed out how Bland’s senior major championship win would not allow him a one-year exemption into the PGA Tour, all thanks to him being a part of the Saudi-backed league.

Richard Bland snubbed by the PGA Tour

The senior men’s circuit released a statement hours ago after Richard Bland’s win at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. It said, “In spite of the win, because of competing in an unauthorized event by the PGA TOUR, he will be ineligible for TOUR-affiliated events. The PGA of America, USGA, and R&A each operate based on criteria of their own.” It, thus, also pointed out how the rules that are set by the various bodies hosting the tournaments are specific to that body and the event and not the PGA Tour as a whole.

The golfer had managed to get into the field owing to his victory at the 2021 British Masters. The professional, however, wasn’t aware of how the PGA Championship had offered a one-time exemption to athletes who won on the European circuit in the past five years. Although he didn’t take part in the same last year owing to a clash with the LIV schedule, that wasn’t the case this time around as he even went ahead to win the tourney. The triumph, meanwhile, also provides him an exemption into the U.S. Senior Open that is set to tee off on June 27 at Newport Country Club, a week after LIV Golf Nashville.

The 51-year-old hit a scintillating 17 under 267 overall to clinch the trophy from right under the noses of Chalmers and Richard Green, the latter of whom finished T2. He did so while carding a total of 21 birdies, and 2 eagles. Bland, as a result, scored figures of 64-66-74-63 over the four days of play, allowing him to clinch his first win on the senior men’s circuit as well.

Regardless of the snub, Richard Bland seems to have been visibly excited following his win at the senior major championship. He expressed his exhilaration for the win all the while dedicating the same to his sick brother.

Bland’s heartwarming response to the first major win

“I couldn’t be happier. I’m going to celebrate the hell out of this one,” revealed the LIV golfer after mentioning how this triumph sits “right up there” with the British Masters win he claimed in 2021. Following the same, he also took up the opportunity to talk about his brother, Heath, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer a year back. However, he was stuck with misfortune yet again as the athlete’s sibling came to be diagnosed with lung cancer last week. He said, “I just wanted to win for him so bad,” while alluding to the recent victory.

The professional, after the win, expressed his resolve to stay in LIV Golf itself while mentioning how he is committed to the same. He also expressed confidence in himself when he said, “This is my first event. I was interested to see if I brought my game how it would stack up against these guys, Thankfully, it does.” Anyhow, the community could witness an amazing weekend of golf on the senior men’s circuit, all thanks to Richard Bland and the rest of the field who managed to put up a tough competition at the Harbor Shores Golf Club.