Richard Bland goes brutally honest about why he joined LIV Golf – “It was purely for the money”

Richard Bland opened up about his decision to join the breakaway LIV Golf tour. His declarations shed light on the financial motivations behind his move, offering a rare glimpse into the personal and professional considerations that shaped his career choices.

Bland, now 51, has experienced a resurgence in his career over the past few years. Known for his perseverance on the DP World Tour, Richard Bland captured the golf world’s attention with his stunning victory at the US Senior Open. Despite these successes, Bland’s decision to join LIV Golf, a tour heavily criticized for its Saudi Arabian funding, was driven by financial security.

Richard Bland’s straightforward admission of his motivations contrasts sharply with the often-politicized narrative surrounding LIV Golf. His honesty provides a refreshing perspective on the ongoing debate about the tour, its financial backers, and the future of professional golf.

Richard Bland’s Candid Statement

In his interview with Golf Monthly, Richard Bland did not mince words about why he joined LIV Golf:

“I was honest and up front about why I joined LIV and it was purely for the money,” he stated. “I wasn’t trying to pull the wool over anybody’s eyes.”

This stark admission comes at a time when many players and commentators have been evasive about the financial incentives offered by the Saudi-backed tour.

Richard Bland emphasized that he received no signing bonus when he joined LIV Golf, distinguishing his situation from that of higher-profile players like Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

“You know, as I’ve said many times, LIV didn’t offer me a dollar, it was just purely the opportunity to play,” he explained. “So no matter what people might think, whether I’m lying or not telling the truth on this side, I’ve got nothing to hide. I never have.”

Despite not receiving an upfront payment, Richard Bland has earned substantial prize money on the LIV Golf circuit. In the inaugural season, he won over $3.5 million, and in 2023, he earned more than $4.4 million from tournaments with $20 million purses.

His financial success continued into 2024, with Bland securing an additional $2.3 million on the LIV Golf money list, alongside significant winnings from senior tournaments.

Richard Bland’s decision to join LIV Golf was not taken lightly. He discussed it with his family and ultimately saw it as a “no-brainer” for securing their financial future.

“I had the opportunity to make my life, my family’s life, and whatever we do as a family a lot easier,” Bland said. “So as I say, it was a no-brainer.”

While some have criticized Rihard Bland for his decision, he remains unapologetic.

“I know people have been slated, you know, ‘it’s growing the game, it’s doing this doing that, whatever,’ I purely went for one thing and one thing only, and I’m not ashamed to say that,” he noted.

Richard Bland’s forthrightness offers a stark contrast to other players who have cited broader goals such as growing the game or enhancing competition.

Bland also addressed the backlash from fans and critics regarding the source of LIV Golf’s funding.

“Like I’ve said to people, it’s very, very easy to take the moral high ground when it’s not there in front of you,” he remarked.

He argued that many critics would change their tune if offered substantial financial incentives themselves.

“If I turned up with a briefcase of, say, five million dollars and said, ‘this is yours,’ it would be on the other side of the door within five seconds.”

Looking ahead, Richard Bland plans to continue competing on the LIV Golf tour for another 18 months to two years. Once his contract expires, he anticipates stepping away from competitive golf.

“I will play LIV for as long as I can and probably when that finishes, that’s probably me done,” he stated.

Richard Bland’s future plans also reflect his personal circumstances, particularly his brother’s health issues.

“So that’s really kind of shifted what I want to do in the future. I don’t particularly want to be playing competitively when I’m sort of 55, 56,” he said.

Instead, Bland envisions traveling and spending more time with his family, free from the pressures of professional competition.

Despite the controversy surrounding his decision, Bland remains at peace with his choice. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s their loss, not mine,” he said, referring to the PGA Tour Champions’ decision to exclude him due to his affiliation with LIV Golf.

Bland’s story highlights the personal and financial realities faced by professional athletes and underscores the complex interplay of ethics, opportunity, and career longevity in the world of sports.