Richard Bland, at five under, is the current leader at the U.S. Open, but this isn’t the first time he’s been in the limelight this year. Just one month ago, the 48-year-old went viral for his emotional interview after claiming his long-sought-after first European Tour win at the British Masters.
When asked to describe his emotions after the maiden victory that took him 478 starts and over 20 years to claim, Bland was at a loss for words.
“I can’t,” he said as he choked back tears. “I’ve done it … I’ve done it.”
Bland’s win resonated across the golf world as players and fans alike were ecstatic to see the consummate journeyman finally breakthrough. Among the stars who congratulated him were Luke Donald, Ian Poulter and Fred Couples.
Just two years before his iconic victory, Bland lost his card on the European Tour and was relegated to the second-tier Challenge Tour. Most players of that age retire and get their games sharp for a crack at the Champions Tour, but not Bland. He eventually regained playing privileges on the European Tour and set himself up for one more run at glory.
“It was just get your head down and do the job,” Bland said. “It was just purely, get your head down, get the job done and get back to where I felt like I belonged.”
Bland was in for another surprise after completing his greenside interview as the European Tour queued up a video feed from his parents so they could share the joy. Check it out below, and have some Kleenex handy.
