Richard Bland’s $1 Million Decision 💰⛳ | Why He’s Paying DP World Tour Fines Before LIV Stops Covering Players
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Richard Bland has dropped a major bombshell in the ongoing LIV Golf vs DP World Tour saga! 💥 The Englishman—once adamant he’d never pay a penny in fines—has now confirmed plans to settle up to $1 million in penalties to the DP World Tour. But why the sudden U-turn? 🤔
After nearly three years away from his home circuit, the 52-year-old US Senior Open and Senior PGA Championship winner is now mapping out a future beyond LIV. With LIV Golf set to stop covering players’ fines at the end of 2025, Bland admits it’s time to clear his name and reopen doors to some of his favourite events — including The Senior Open, the Dunhill Links, and the British Masters. 🏌️♂️🇬🇧
“It just opens some doors for me outside of LIV, whenever LIV finishes for me,” Bland told bunkered.co.uk.
Unlike Sergio Garcia, Bland isn’t chasing a full DP World Tour comeback or Ryder Cup return — he simply wants freedom to compete selectively on European soil during the twilight of his remarkable career. 🌅
But this decision could also send shockwaves across the LIV roster, with big names like Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and Adrian Meronk facing similar crossroads as their own fines remain under appeal. ⚖️
Will Bland’s move spark a new wave of reconciliation between LIV and the DP World Tour? Or is this just the calm before another golf storm? 🌪️⛳
📅 Timeline: Before LIV’s fine coverage ends (December 31, 2025)
📍 Key Figures: Richard Bland, Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood
🎙️ Topics: LIV Golf, DP World Tour, Senior Open, golf politics, player fines
#RichardBland #LIVGolf #DPWorldTour #GolfNews #GolfDrama #RyderCup #SergioGarcia #JonRahm #TyrrellHatton #GolfControversy #PGATour #SeniorOpen #GolfUpdate #GolfTalk #LIVGolf2025
Richard Bland is preparing to settle fines totaling up to $1 million with the DP World Tour before Eliv Golf stops covering players financial penalties at the end of the year. The 52-year-old Englishman who joined LIV Golf alongside European stalwart Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood resigned from the DP World Tour in 2023 after refusing to pay the sanctions imposed for competing in LIIV events without official releases. Bland has long described his defection as the best decision of my life. Previously showing no interest in returning to the European Circuit or resolving his fines. However, as he begins to look beyond his LIIV career, Bland has acknowledged that the impass is blocking potential future opportunities, particularly the chance to compete in events he holds dear and to play on Europe’s senior circuit. His decision comes shortly after LIIV informed players it will no longer pay DP World Tour fines on their behalf after December 31st. From 2026 onwards, any LIV golfers wishing to regain or maintain European tour membership must settle their own penalties. With my fines being outstanding, the door is firmly shut right now. Bland told Bunker to go to UK. I’m looking into having those paid. It just opens some doors for me outside of LIIV. Whenever LIIV finishes for me, if I want to play a tournament here or there, I can do. That’s what it’s for. I’m the process of that right now. Unlike Garcia, who made peace with Wentworth last year to remain eligible for the RDER Cup, Bland is not seeking a full reinstatement of his DP World Tour card. His focus lies on selective opportunities in the later stages of his career, particularly events such as the Senior Open, which he is currently barred from playing since it’s co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour. Bland, who won both the US Senior Open and the Senior PGA Championship last year, would be among the favorites to win on home soil if cleared to play. However, the Senior Open currently clashes with Eliv Golf’s UK event, a tournament he is contractually obliged to attend. Going forward with some senior golf to be able to play the senior British Open would be something I’d love to have a chance to win one day. Being a British player, Bland said, “I always used to love the Dunhill Links. I’d love to maybe play at the British Masters again, too, if there would be an invite there.” He added that he’s now working to finalize his outstanding balance. It’s just a matter of getting the correct figure and passing that on to them. It’s on my to-do list this week to speak to the tour and get that figure. So yeah, I’m in the process of that right now. The situation could have broader implications across Eliv Golf and the European Rder Cup team. Players such as John Rom and Tier Hatton, who maintained DP World Tour membership while awaiting a hearing on their fines, may soon face similar decisions. Rum recently admitted he had forgotten about the ongoing appeal that has so far kept him and Hatton eligible for the Ryder Cup at Beth Page Black. However, the case is expected to be dismissed following the 2023 legal precedent in which the DP World Tour successfully defended its right to fine and suspend players who participated in LIIV events without approval. The DP World Tour has yet to confirm when the latest appeal hearing will take place.
