‘We’re All Thinking of Him’: LIV Golfers Pay Tribute to a Fallen Golf Legend With a Special Gesture

Broken Arrows on Friday experienced the roar of Round 1 of LIV Golf Tulsa when 12 teams took on the field. Among them, Stingers GC is leading the scoreboard at Oklahoma by 6. One of the star players, on the first day, broke the previous record as he scored a bogey-free 9-under 61. The fans and experts got to experience a united South African front at Cedar Ridge Country Club.

Apart from the brilliant display of skills and celebration of a successful first day, Stingers had some gestural grieving going on. The team led by the 2010 Open Championship winner was witnessed paying tribute to a South African golf legend. This action of the LIV golfers piqued the interest of the audience and the media. One of the team members was quick to confirm their suspicions.

LIV Golf’s Stingers commemorate the South African Legend

After the first day at Tulsa was wrapped up, Branden Grace along with HyFlyers’ Brenden Steele sat down for a press conference. In addition to various questions regarding the game and the crowd, Branden was interviewed about the extra accessory they were carrying on themselves on the greens. The interviewer confirmed whether the tribute was for the five-time PGA Tour winner John Bland.

To the proposed question, the 34-year-old replied with a strong affirmation. He said, “Yeah, obviously very good mate of mine. We live on the same golf course — well, we lived on the same golf course. I’ve known him forever, John Bland, golfing hero, South African legend, passed away a few days ago.”

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Golf Hall of Famer Gary Player, who has swung his golf club with John Bland multiple times in the past, told PGA Tour, “I’ve read where people say, ‘Who’s this guy?’ Well, he’s been winning tournaments in South Africa for many, many years and winning tournaments in Europe. He is simply an outstanding golfer.”

Brandon added how they have been thinking about the golf veteran and hoped that he was looking down on them. The 6-time Sunshine Tour winner mentioned how blue was the legend’s favorite color. To further give an insight into the team’s action, he commented,” He supported the Blue Bulls, and I reached out to his wife that I know pretty well, and thought if there’s a collar ribbon what he would have liked, and blue it is. I got the team, the caddies, the whole staff, we’re all thinking of him.”

Golfers mourn John Bland’s demise and remember his legacy

After the news of the South African professional golfer’s death got out, many professionals took to social media to offer their condolences. The names included Ernie Els, David Frost, Darren Clarke, and Bernhard Langer. They praised John for his great sense of humor and had only good things to share about the golfer. Some of them complimented the way Bland used to play on the fields.

The South African veteran had many wins to his name and made his home country proud through his skillful game. Thus, it is expected of the dominant South African Stingers to pay tribute to the former professional. Their act of remembering him just shows the impact John had on the sport.

Watch this story: ‘Extremely Sad’: Golf fans send in their prayers as world mourns passing of 93-year-old PGA Tour Legend