Golf’s Uiltimate Grinder Doesn’t Give Up

It’s a dream for athletes to make it to the biggest tournaments (let alone win). Richard Bland is one of those people who dedicated 25 years of lugging his clubs all across Europe and finally struck some gold last month at the age of 48. Here are the highlights:

• After playing 477 European Tour Events, he’s finally a top-notch contender for the U.S. Open.
• It’s up in the air of whether or not Bland will win, but the effort and persistence are present.
• He said even when times got tough, he kept on. He said when he lost his card two or three times, he joked that he wasn’t that intelligent for an office job. Ultimately, he stuck with the sport.
• Bland finally broke through last month by winning a playoff at the British Masters.
• He’s a late bloomer that knew he had what it takes to win but it took him a couple of decades to get there. 
• Bland kept going despite all of the trials and tribulations. Even with getting knocked down seven times, he got up on the eighth try. The win got him to his second U.S. Open and he’s built up a groove to put him in a great place.
• People that didn’t know him then now know him. Bland was ready for the press with a confidence that said he was born to play and be in the light but just needed his chance to shine.
• Even if he doesn’t win this, he’s still a winner. He’s been able to travel the world and play some of the best golf courses.