By Rahul Banerji
It took Richard Bland 478 starts and almost 23 years to win his first European Tour title. That statistic has convinced me that some day, I’ll hit a golf ball straight five times in a row.
Seriously though, this is real proof of self-belief and unwavering perseverance.
Richard Bland first teed up in a professional tournament in 1996. Two years later, he had earned his card on the European Tour.
And on Saturday, 19-odd years after his only other title, the Englishman won the Betfred British Masters in a play-off at the Belfry.
It was his 478th attempt at breaking that long-running drought and he beat Guido Migliozzi, almost half his age in the first hole of the play-off.
“It’s probably going to take a few days to sink in,” an emotional Bland said later.
“It’s what I’ve worked for for 20 years. I’ve had a few close calls and I assume someone up there was looking down on me quite favourably today.
“A big incentive for me this year was to get to 500 events and this will allow me to do that, which I’ll be hugely proud of.”
Sheer determination
Imagine the drive of the man, quite willing to go on regardless of Saturday’s outcome.
Sample these takes about his career.
“Just get your head down and do the job, no disrespect to the other players,
“I wasn’t there to make any friends. I did make friends and it was great but it was just purely, get your head down, get the job done and get back to where I felt I belong.”
Over four days, Bland had just one – yes, one – bogey.
You’ve gotta believe!
Bland made his European Tour debut at the 1998 Open Championship. Since then, he has had three runners-up finishes, two third places and another 26 top-10s.
Not a great record, or a huge motivational statistic. And he’s hopeful of winning again.
“Who knows? Maybe it’s like buses. None come around for ages and then two come along in quick succession.”
According to europeantour.com, Bland made his Tour debut with a 99th placed finish at the 1998 Open Championship.
He however would only secure his place on Tour after successfully graduating from the Challenge Tour for the first time in 2001.
Up and down
Bland would return to the Challenge Tour in 2004, 2008 and 2018 as well. In that third essay he became the senior-most to graduate at age 46.
“I was 46 at the time: what am I going to do for the next three or four years? I’m getting fatter as it is, I’m only going to be getting worse,” he said on Saturday.
“It took a lot of guts to go back to the Challenge Tour at 46 years old. You’re probably old enough to be most of the guys’ father.
“I got my head down, I’m pretty good at that. When I put my mind to something I can just get my head down and go and do it. That’s what I did.”
Bland won the Challenge Tour Grand Final in 2001 and in his rookie European Tour season, lost in a play-off at the Irish Open.
The next title would come on a May evening 19 years later.
No quitter
“I don’t quit,” Bland was quoted as saying.
“Even if I’m having a bad day – you might be frustrated by it – but you never throw the towel in because you never know in this game what’s round the corner.
“I always knew I could do it. Some of my friends out here have won. You think if they can win, surely I can do it.
“I’ve left it a little late, but better late than never.
“It’s what I’ve worked for for 20 years. That’s what we all work for, to win out here and try and prove yourself.
“I’ve had a few close calls and I assume someone up there was looking down on me quite favourably today. It was just my day.”
For the record, Shubhankar Sharma finished in a share of 34th place. There was much to learn for the young Indian out there on Saturday.
Also read: Indians hope for better fortunes as British Masters tees off on Wednesday
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Very well narrated a joyous occurrence. This performance at 46 speaks of personality much more than the golfing skill. Apparantly Bland has in him. Must wish him the best in times to come.