Richard Bland won’t be headed to Champions Tour if LIV Golf folds

admin — Sat, 09 May 2026 17:56:06 +0000

LIV Golf’s future is in doubt, but 53-year-old Richard Bland knows one thing about where his professional career is headed next — it won’t be on the PGA Tour Champions.

Bland, who won the Senior PGA Championship and U.S. Senior Open in 2024, said on Friday at LIV Golf Virginia that he can see the end of his playing days coming. While former LIV members Pat Perez and Henrik Stenson have opted to serve a one-year suspension before teeing it up on the PGA Tour’s senior circuit, Bland won’t be following in his former LIV-mates footsteps.

“From what I’ve been told, I’m not hugely welcome there,” Bland said on Friday.

“I wasn’t given the exemption. I’m the only senior major champion never to get that exemption, and that’s fine, I don’t have an issue with that,” Bland said. “I think the Champions Tour have made it pretty now impossible for anybody to come and play. I’m not going to go chasing it. I’ll be 54 years old, but I’m going to be banned for a year anyway.”

The Senior PGA Championship and U.S. Senior Open are run by the PGA of America and the USGA, respectively, while the PGA Tour operates PGA Tour Champions.

LIV Golf is in uncharted waters after the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund announced that it will withdraw its financial backing for the league after the 2026 season. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil is working to secure outside investment to keep the league running beyond this season.

For Bland, either way, he knows the end of his professional days is near. That’s something he has made peace with.

“I know it’s coming quite soon,” Bland said of retirement. “I kind of earmarked next year would probably be my last year of playing full-time, as I do right now. Then going forward, really kind of scattered, but play where I want to play. For me right now, I’m 53. For me, the travel is the hard bit. … That’s been the hard thing for me, is recovery, getting ready for tournaments.

Bland turned pro in 1996 and became the DP World Tour’s oldest first-time winner when he captured the Betfred British Masters in 2021. He jumped to LIV Golf during its inaugural season in 2022 and that, at the moment, will be the final chapter of his professional career. He doesn’t feel the need to try to extend it on a senior circuit.

“Semi-retirement, it’s getting a lot nearer — and that’s fine,” Bland said. “I’m okay with that. I’ve had one helluva ride out here and the best decision I ever made.”

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SuperStroke Releases Limited-Edition Folds of Honor Putter Grip

admin — Sat, 02 May 2026 11:25:08 +0000

Stars and Stripes grip design, in bold red, white and blue grip colorway, benefits the Folds of Honor Foundation. Available April 20.

Wixom, MI – SuperStroke, the No. 1 Putter Grip in golf and the leader in innovative Tour-proven golf grip technology, is proud to unveil its Limited Editon Folds of Honor Putter grip with a portion of the sales of every grip in this release being donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

This SuperStroke Zenergy putter grip, available in the popular Pistol 1.0, will be available on SuperStrokeUSA.com on April 20.

Draped in the bold red, white, and blue iconography with the Stars and Stripes motif of the American Flag, this patriotic grip design celebrates 250 years of this nation’s freedom and unity while honoring the vital educational support Folds of Honor provides the families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders who protect our communities and country. The Folds of Honor logo appears in its signature blue script while the SuperStroke logo features red and blue script with textured white-on-white stars behind it for a subtle touch of feel and patriotism.

Founded in 2007 by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot to also be a PGA of America Golf Professional, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships, totaling over $340 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 43 percent are minorities. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency on Candid.

“Folds of Honor is grateful to SuperStroke for creating and offering this Limited-Edition Folds of Honor putter grip to help shine a light on our mission and the lives of the military and first responders’ families who have sacrificed so much,” said Sara Bush, Senior Director of Golf Relations for Folds of Honor. “The educational need for these families is substantial, and we’re able to carry on this work with the overwhelming support from the golf community and partners like SuperStroke.”

The Pistol 1.0 version of the SuperStroke Limited Edition Folds of Honor grip are available for $39.99 while they last.

“It’s always the perfect time to support the Folds of Honor and the crucial work they provide for military and first responders’ families. SuperStroke considers it an honor to do our small part to raise awareness of this esteemed organization’s incredible outreach and pivotal, inspiring work,” said SuperStroke’s Vice President, Marketing Ryan Harris. “America’s 250th birthday gives us a symbolic and timely opportunity to help place this worthy cause in front of large audience of golfers who can help us support the Folds of Honor – with a portion of the sales of every grip going to the Folds of Honor Foundation – and celebrate America’s wealth of beauty and liberties.”

Part of the Zenergy line, this limited-edition grip is made with SuperStroke’s enhanced SPYNE technology, new multi-zone texturing, and our patented no-taper shape for unmatched confidence to quiet your hands – and your mind. Features Include:

Enhanced SPYNE Technology– The new SPYNE Technology has an improved, embossed ridge along the underside of the grip, engineered to make it easier to square the face at impact.
New Multi-Zone Texturing– Strategically placed textured in high-sensory areas designed to optimize feedback and comfort from the incredibly soft polyurethane outer layer.
No Taper Technology– Our patented No Taper minimizes grip pressure with an advanced parallel design that enables golfers to quiet their hands and add consistency to their stroke.
Tech-Port– Located at the top of SuperStroke grips, Tech-Port allows golfers to easily add game-improvement options including the patented CounterCore weight system and performance tracking sensors.

The Pistol 1.0 is 1.14” wide and 10.6” long. It weighs 83g and has a 0.58” core.

Learn more at https://superstrokeusa.com/ and https://foldsofhonor.org/.

About Folds of Honor

Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 scholarships totaling over $340 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 43 percent are minorities and 57 percent female. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is serving as Commander of Recruiting for the Oklahoma Air Guard. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.

About SuperStroke

Since launching the first line of oversized putter grips in 2009, SuperStroke’s mission has been to help golfers make every swing and every stroke the best it can possibly be. This commitment to offering high-performing, innovative products has helped SuperStroke users earn more than $500 million on major professional tours around the world, as well as propelling amateurs to shoot their career-low rounds.

In addition to custom grips, SuperStroke offers a full range of officially licensed products to help golfers show their team spirit on the course. This includes both putter and club grips from college, NFL, MLB, and NHL teams.

One of the most trusted brands on all major tours around the world, SuperStroke’s team of ambassadors includes three-time major champion Jordan Spieth, eight-time winner on the PGA Tour Patrick Cantlay, 2019 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im, and world-renowned coaches Michael Breed, Cameron McCormick, and Phil Kenyon. In addition to the company’s beloved putter grips, SuperStroke offers a full lineup of club grips allowing golfers to experience the benefits of SuperStroke technology in every shot.

Visit https://superstrokeusa.com/ for more information.

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