LIV Golf pro didn't ask important question: "I think it opens can of worms"
England's Richard Bland has admitted he wouldn't have asked LIV Golf for a tournament release had he been eligible to play the Senior Open at Carnoustie.
Richard Bland says he wouldn't have asked LIV Golf for a tournament release to play the Senior Open even if he was eligible because it would have opened a can of worms with the breakaway tour.
To say Bland's career is enjoying an Indian summer would be somewhat of an understatement.
The Englishman won back-to-back majors at the Senior PGA Championship and Senior U.S. Open earlier in the year.
Bland is also in good shape to retain his spot in the LIV Golf League.
In ordinary circumstances then the 51-year-old would have teed it up at Carnoustie a few weeks ago and tried to complete the 'Bland Slam'.
But it was not possible as he was barred from playing given the Senior Open is co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and R&A.
The governing body upheld their policy of not letting DP World Tour members who have played on LIV, and have outstanding fines, tee up in tournaments until they are paid.
"LIV didn't pay my fines and I didn't want them to, because I was never going to go back to DP World Tour, so I didn't see the point," Bland previously said.
Lee Westwood was caught in a similar predicament.
Both Westwood and Bland have resigned their memberships from the Old World circuit.
But, given the tournament's status, both implored the R&A to 'stand-up' to the DP World Tour.
This year's Senior Open, which was won by K.J. Choi, clashed with LIV's event at the JCB Golf & Country Club in Staffordshire.
LIV players are under strict contracts and are obligated to play in each and every event providing they are not injured.
"No," Bland told GolfMagic when asked if LIV would've given him a tournament release if he was allowed to play this year.
"And I don't mean that in any way bad for LIV, I think it opens the can of worms that if you give someone a release then, let's say, for arguments sake next year the schedule comes out and Hong Kong clashes with the Aussie Masters and Cam [Smith] and Leish [Marc Leishman] and those guys wanna go play [they could say] well, 'You did it for him so why won't you do it for us?"
"So, I didn't [even ask]. I know Tim [Barter] my coach was asking a few questions to me saying to me that the media were speculating why [I wasn't playing the Senior Open].
"I didn't even ask. And, like you say, I have a contract with LIV and I will fulfil that.
"So yeah, I wouldn't expect them to release me.
"Like you say, that's in no way a bad thing against LIV.
"I would fully expect them to be [like that] and I'm 100% fine with it because that's where I play my golf and that's where I want to play my golf."
He added: "I think if you let someone on our Tour go somewhere else then you're just giving someone else the opportunity that it can be done."
Bland was speaking ahead of the International Series event at Foxhills in Surrey.
The golfer also had some strong opinions on the recent changes that were announced to European Ryder Cup qualification.
As far as he is concerned, the Ryder Cup is now a PGA Tour event.
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