There is a rising debate in the golf world after Richard Bland won back-to-back senior majors. Despite the weather delay that pushed the Newport event’s final round to Monday the LIV Golf Pro emerged victorious at the US Senior Open. After winning his senior major debut at the Senior PGA Championship, Bland was exempted from playing in the US Senior Open.

The English pro shot four incredible rounds of 68, 64, 69, and 66 to force a playoff with Hiroyuki Fujita. After tying the first playoff holes, Bland ended the major as he shot a birdie on the last one and clinched his second senior major trophy. Now, after the event has concluded, the 51-year-old might have a dilemma about whether he can play the third major, the Senior Open, or not.

Unfortunately for Bland, the Senior Open Championship and LIV Golf UK are scheduled on the same weekend. For many in the golf world, the situation put Bland at a very crucial crossroads. His standings on LIV Golf are in a precarious state and missing another LIV Golf event can lead him to further trickle down the ranks. On the other hand, the Senior Open Championship is a ‘major’— a prestigious title for any golfer, especially when he recently came out of winning one.

As the debate heated over, many other golf enthusiasts took part and relayed their thoughts on Bland choosing LIV or major. And shared which would be the better option for his growing career.

The golf world reacts as Richard Bland might miss the Senior Open 

Will LIV Golf drop Richard Bland for the 2025 season? As previously revealed, Bland currently takes the 25th spot on the LIV Golf Standings, which is a free zone for players where contract renewals are not guaranteed. However, if last year’s trends hold true and the free zone players do not get relegated, then there is a glimmer of hope for Bland, as he could retain his spot in the Saudi-backed league for the 2025 season. Moreover, this fan also shared the English pro’s presence in the next season, saying, “Jerry Foltz said on a recent interview he’s heard LIV are already trying to extend him before the season ends,” so Bland might not miss the Senior Open to secure his position on LIV Standings.

Bland is surely in a dilemma as he has to choose between the Senior Open or the LIV Golf UK. The former might become his third consecutive senior major win, giving his career a massive boost. However, as per WSJ reports, LIV Golf contracts don’t usually allow their players to leave a LIV Golf event. Hence, this fan said, “Tough call. But even if he ends up above the 25 cut line there is no doubt that some team will invite him back next year. At this point that seems automatic. Especially with the Cleeks team win this year. Bottom line it is up to him I would imagine. We will see. Guy has got lots of real game right now.” 

Another fan reciprocated a similar feeling. Bland is tasting success much later in his career, after all, the Senior US Open and PGA Championship were only the second and third victories since he debuted on the European Tour in the early 2000s. So, this golf fan argued how the top 24 mark shouldn’t matter for Bland and said, “Only because he’s won 2 majors, I think he should go for the 3rd. This opportunity is once in a lifetime and LIV isn’t going anywhere for him. He doesn’t need to be top 24 next year. Regardless, he’ll have several teams trying to sign him.” 

Although the PGA Tour denied Bland a one-year exemption to play on the PGA Tour Champions after winning his first senior major, the English pro did receive other exemptions because of the victory. It meant that next year, Bland would be qualified to play the US Senior Open, the Senior PGA Championship, and all the other three majors, unlike this year when he had to get a sponsor exemption. That’s why, this fan weighed more on Bland not ditching LIV Golf UK for majors. They said, “It’s a nice dilemma but I’d stay and play LIV as he’s already qualed for other events in 2025.”

Although LIV Golf has strict contracts that pros should adhere to, in exceptional cases, the players can leave an event, like Matthew Wolff did last year at the LIV Golf Washington. With Bland exponential rise on senior major leaderboards, the breakaway circuit has a chance to attract more people through Bland’s major wins and also give him a historical career. Thus, this fan asked to not compare LIV events to the majors and said, “There is room between “@livgolf_league events are meaningless” and taking the opportunity to make history. There’s a reason LIV contracts specifically allow players to compete in majors even if they conflict with LIV events at some point in the future. One would think the opportunity to win a third Senior major in a year is comparable.”

Now the debate around which golf event will Bland choose depends on whether the R&A permits the LIV Golfer in the event or not. Last year, Bland and Lee Westwood were denied entry into the major as it also is co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the LIV pros had unpaid fines with the league. However, following his two major wins, the DP World Tour might allow him to pay back and eventually tee up at the Carnoustie Championship Course.