‘People have been slated’: Richard Bland admits joining LIV Golf was purely for money

Richard Bland has candidly admitted that his decision to join the controversial LIV Golf was driven purely by financial incentives. Since his switch, the 51-year-old golfer has accumulated more than $11.5 million and continues to add to that total.

In LIV Golf’s inaugural season, Bland earned nearly $3.5 million. This was followed by over $4.4 million in 2023, and in 2024, he has already secured another $2.3 million, which includes $630,000 for winning the Senior PGA and $800,000 in the US Senior Open.

In a recent interview with Golf Monthly, Bland revealed that, unlike other prominent players in the league, he did not receive a signing bonus from LIV Golf. He discussed the decision with his wife and family, but ultimately, it was an easy choice for him.

“I joined LIV purely for the money. I know people have been criticized, saying ‘it’s growing the game,’ or ‘it’s doing this and that,’ but I went for one thing only, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I had the chance to improve my life, my family’s life, and make things easier for us. So it was a no-brainer,” Bland stated.

Bland emphasized that he wasn’t trying to mislead anyone about his reasons for joining LIV. He believed the significant financial benefits made it a straightforward decision. He also acknowledged that around a third of his supporters disapproved of his choice, which he accepted, noting that most people would likely do the same if offered a large sum of money.

Richard Bland has enjoyed a lucrative career. Turning professional in 1996, his breakthrough came in 2001 with a win at the Grand Final on the Challenge Tour, leading to his European Tour card the following year. His first European Tour victory came much later, in 2021, at the Betfred British Masters, where he became the oldest first-time winner on the tour.

Bland joined the LIV Golf Invitational Series in 2022, and his earnings have surpassed those of high-profile signings like Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. His best LIV performance was a fourth-place finish in Bangkok during the inaugural season, where he shot -14.

According to the DP World Tour, Bland has earned €7,992,521.31 in prize money alone. His net worth has significantly increased since joining LIV Golf and is projected to reach approximately $4 million by 2024.

Bland has shown strong form throughout the 2024 LIV Golf season, placing 11th in Mayakoba, 18th in Las Vegas, 34th in Jeddah, and 8th in Hong Kong.