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Richard Bland shares USGA’s reaction to his pick of LIV Dallas over US Senior Open

Originally posted on HITC | By Antony Martin | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 2:55 AM ET

Richard Bland raised eyebrows this week by choosing to play at LIV Dallas instead of defending his US Senior Open title at Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado.

It’s unclear if that was entirely his choice. Bland’s contract with LIV Golf may have required him to be in Dallas for this week’s event.

The 52-year-old has been playing well on LIV this season and he likely would have backed himself to defend his title at the US Senior Open.

Even so, he gave a few clues about how he really felt when he spoke to the press following his second round at Maridoe Golf Club.

How the USGA responded to Richard Bland missing the US Senior Open

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Bland is only four shots behind leader Patrick Reed heading into Sunday’s final round at LIV Dallas and a win would help ease the disappointment of missing the Senior Open.

“Yeah, obviously you always want to defend something you won the year before, especially a tournament like the US Senior Open,” Bland told the media. “But as always, I’m committed to LIV. I didn’t even ask the question. I know I have a contract, and I have to honor that.

“I know I’ve taken a little bit of stick back home for it, but it’s one of those unfortunate things. I spoke with the USGA. They were fine with it. Obviously, of course they’re disappointed.

“But it’s just one of those unfortunate things. I know LIV are trying to put the best schedule together that they can with the weeks that they have, and of course they’re never going to put a LIV event against a major a real-time major if you want to call it that. But yeah, it’s unfortunate.

“Obviously I would love to be there, but I’m also committed and I love playing LIV. I love playing for the Cleeks. Yeah, I’m happy.”

Bland’s comments suggested he’s trying to make the best of a difficult situation, even if it’s not one he would have chosen for himself.

Richard Bland’s 2025 LIV Golf results

LIV 2025	Bland’s finishes
Events played	8
Wins	0
Top-5s	1
Top-10s	2

Bland has been a reliable performer on LIV this season. His best finish so far came at LIV Adelaide, where he placed fifth back in February.

He still has a chance to surpass that performance with a strong final round at Maridoe on Sunday – but it’s hard to imagine he isn’t still thinking about the title defence he had to skip.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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