In a dramatic showdown at the US Senior Open, England’s Richard Bland emerged victorious, securing his second consecutive senior major title. Bland triumphed over Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita on the second hole of sudden death after both golfers finished tied at 13 under par and were inseparable even after a two-hole aggregate play-off.
The tension was palpable as both men parred the first hole of sudden death. The competition returned to the 18th hole, where Bland hit the pin with his third shot from a greenside bunker, setting up a tap-in par for victory after Fujita narrowly missed his own par attempt. “This is very special,” Bland said during the presentation ceremony. “I’m struggling to put this into words right now.”
Fujita had maintained a three-shot lead after 10 holes when the final round was suspended on Sunday afternoon due to dangerous weather. At that point, the 55-year-old had only made two bogeys all week. However, when play resumed on Monday, he dropped shots on the 11th, 12th, and 14th holes. Meanwhile, Bland, playing in the group ahead, capitalized on Fujita’s struggles, following a bogey on the 13th with birdies on the 14th and 15th.
This surge gave Bland a one-shot lead, but he bogeyed the 18th, anxiously watching as Fujita narrowly missed a long birdie putt that would have sealed his victory.
“I made a great birdie on 15 to go one in front but kind of tried to trip over myself on the last and was just thankful to get in the play-off,” Bland reflected. “The trap shot was one of those you could be really aggressive with and I’m just thrilled beyond words to be stood here. To go two-for-two [in senior majors] is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Bland dedicated his Senior PGA Championship win in May to his brother Heath, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer over a year ago and recently learned it had spread to his lungs. Holding the US Open trophy, Bland joked, “He can have the PGA but I’m sorry, he’s not going to get this one out of my hands. This one’s staying in my house.”
Bland’s first DP World Tour win came in his 478th start at the 2021 British Masters. He later joined LIV Golf during its debut season in 2022. Despite his recent successes, the 51-year-old faces a scheduling conflict that will prevent him from contesting the Senior Open at Carnoustie later this month, as he is contracted to play in a LIV event near Uttoxeter in the same week.
Richard Bland’s victory at the US Senior Open is a testament to his resilience and skill. As he continues to navigate his career in senior golf, fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching to see how he balances his commitments and continues to build on his recent successes.
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