It’s 478th time lucky for Bland
RICHARD BLAND made “the dream come true” by becoming the oldest first-time winner on the European Tour at the age of 48.
The Southampton fan said fellow pro David Howell told him during the Betfred British Masters he dreamed he would finally win a tournament.
And Bland, who turned pro in 1996, lifted a title at the 478th attempt by beating Italian Guido Migliozzi in a nerve-jangling play-off at The Belfry.
The veteran fought back the tears in an emotional post-round interview with his coach and Sky Sports presenter Tim Barter and then on a Zoom call with his family.
And Bland, who had lost a play-off at the 2002 Irish Open and been to Q School eight times, said: “It’s what
I’ve worked for, for 20 years. There was unfinished business out here and I am just pleased that I proved myself that I can do it.
“I’ve had a few close calls. I assume someone up there was looking down on my quite favourably today.
“After the first round, Howler said to me: ‘I had a dream that you had won a tournament’. So that stayed with me today. I kept saying to myself: ‘Just make the dream come true’. And I made that dream come true. It was just my day. I always knew I could it. Better late than never I guess.”
Bland lost his Tour card two years ago when his brother, Heath, now recovered, was seriously ill in a coma. “This one is for him as well’, he added.
Starting the final round three shots off the lead, Bland nailed a 28-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to card a final-round six-under-par 66 to finish on 13 under. He made only one bogey during the week.
Only Migliozzi, who closed with a 68, could equal that score in the final seven groups.
Playing the 18th in a sudden-death play-off, Bland clubbed a five wood out of a divot from 209 yards onto the green before Migliozzi missed his par putt from eight feet.
Bland then rolled home from two feet before embracing Barter. “To have him here with me on the 18th green makes it extra special,” he said.
Big pal, and occasional caddie, Matt Le Tissier (left), tweeted: “Well deserved, you work so hard mate.”