What Richard Bland was told privately about LIV golfers playing on the Champions Tour
With LIV Golf’s future in doubt, so is the future of all of its players. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has withdrawn support for the tour for next season, meaning LIV will need to find new investment or risk collapsing entirely.
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images With LIV Golf’s future in doubt, so is the future of all of its players. The Saudi Public Investment Fund has withdrawn support for the tour for next season, meaning LIV will need to find new investment or risk collapsing entirely. LIV players have a one-year suspension from the PGA Tour dating back to their most recent LIV event, and while some may be able to strike deals with the tour as Brooks Koepka did, the rest will have to seek new homes for 2027 if LIV does indeed fold.
Many LIV players have burned bridges with the PGA Tour through their words and actions over the last few years. Phil Mickelson was among the players to file a lawsuit against the tour after he joined LIV, so it’s unlikely he’ll ever make an appearance on the PGA Tour again. But what about other LIV players?
What about those seeking a place on the Champions Tour after they have served their year-long suspension? According to Richard Bland, the tour’s stance on this has been made very clear. Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Richard Bland told he’s not welcome on the Champions Tour Bland said at LIV Virginia that he’s planning a “semi-retirement” after this season.
At 53 years old, and with his tour’s future in doubt, he believes it’s time to step away from full-time competition. In theory, he’d be eligible for the Champions Tour after serving his year’s suspension. But Bland said that he’s been told that that won’t be an option for him.