23 June 2023 , 12:23
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Richard Bland has become the latest star to laud the progress of LIV Golf following its first 12 months, as he looks forward to his homecoming event at LIV London next month.
It has been a year like no other in the world of golf, and the breakaway circuit has found itself at the centre of it. When the first tee shot was hit at its maiden event at Centurion 12 months ago, nobody in the sport could have predicted what was to follow.
The Saudi-backed series had found itself embroiled in an ugly feud with arch rival the PGA Tour in its first year in existence, with the Tour looking to stagnate the progress of the breakaway league.
A year on a truce has now seemingly been called, with the two rivals finally agreeing to work alongside each other - and the DP World Tour - under one entity funded by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The idea of the two working together was unthinkable one year ago, but the growth of the breakaway league made it it impossible for the PGA Tour to ignore.
One man who has felt the benefits of LIV Golf is Bland, and the former DP World Tour has revealed he has a sense of pride when he sees how far the Saudi-funded league has come. Per LIV Golf Latest, he said: "“LIV has come further than we could ever have imagined.
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Richard Bland is looking forward to LIV London (Hunter Martin/LIV Golf/AP/REX/Shutterstock)"I’m so proud of what everyone has done, what we are trying to do and how we are trying to get it across to golf fans around the world. I only see it getting bigger and bigger, which is massively exciting.” The breakaway league will return to British soil for the first time since its maiden tournament next month, when Centurion plays host to the 2023 edition of LIV London.
A lot has happened in the year between the two UK visits, and it remains hard to gauge the support the breakaway circuit has from British golf fans due to its US-heavy schedule. Bland though is expecting an impressive reception from his home crowd come July 7.
"“We are all looking forward to Centurion," the 50-year-old Cleeks GC star added. London kicked it all off last year and we’re excited to go back there. The crowds will be bigger and louder, which is what we want as players. I can’t wait.”