If Phil Mickelson’s PGA Championship win was a victory for all the over 50s, Richard Bland’s fairytale success at the British Masters was a victory of hope and resilience for every golfer who keeps getting up after being knocked down.
We’ve come to expect the unexpected from Phil, but Bland’s last – and only – other victory during his 25-year professional career came way back in 2001 when he won the Challenge Tour Grand Final. He lost in a play-off at the 2002 Irish Open as a European Tour rookie and then proceeded to perform like Lee Westwood does in the Majors for the best part of two decades. There were plenty of close calls, including two more second places and 28 other top 10s, but nothing really worth celebrating other than a handsome pay packet.
By the time Bland was relegated to the Challenge Tour ahead of the 2019 season, he had plummeted outside the world’s top 1,000, having missed more cuts (14) than he made the previous year. With retirement out of the question, he stayed loyal to his long-time swing coach, Tim Barter, and rebounded by finishing as a runner-up four times to win his European Tour card back at the first attempt.
“What was I going to do for the next three, four years?” asked Bland of an uncertain future. “I’m getting fat as it is and it’s only going to get worse. Just get your head down and do the job and get back to where I felt like I belong.”
Denne historien er fra December 2021-utgaven av Golf Asia.
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Denne historien er fra December 2021-utgaven av Golf Asia.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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VICTORIOUS ASIA AT EFG INTERNATIONAL GOLF CHALLENGE
Junior golfers from Team Asia overcame Team Europe at the second edition of the event that promotes sportsmanship and foster young talent.
CULINARY CROSSROADS
Foodies, it is time to add Macau to your bucket list for both its burgeoning fine dining scene - and vibrant fusion local cuisine.
CYBER TIMES
The Bell & Ross CYBER launches watchmaking into the future.
HERITAGE REIMAGINED
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi reopens its historic heritage wing.
POULTER IMPRESSED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES PATHWAY
Popular English Ryder cup star lan Poulter is confident of Asian Tour's plans for future success.
ASIAN SPIRIT TO THE FORE
The Internationals will look to Maruyama's heroics to propel their Presidents Cup quest.
GLOBAL UNITY
International Team united by the \"Shield\" ahead of Presidents Cup showdown
GIRLS ON FIRE
Representing one's country, either as an amateur or a professional, in a sport you love, is a dream come true. JUSTINE MOSS catches up with the Singapore Golf Association's Women's National Squad to find out more about their dedication to the game.
SOCIAL GOLFER
Popular influencer Christabel Chua (@bellywellyjelly) shares how golf has opened up a whole new world for her.
FAST DOWNHILL CHIP
In this common scenario, your ball has hung up on some longer grass to the side of the green, leaving you a downhill chip on to a fast surface that's running away from you.