Richard Bland Set to Shine at International Series England at Foxhills
This August, Richard Bland is poised to take the stage at the International Series England, held at the picturesque Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey. The tournament, which runs from the 8th to the 11th, promises to be an exciting event, featuring top-tier golfers including Thomas Pieters, Jason Kokrak, Brooks Koepka, and Andy Ogletree.
Bland, a star of the LIV Golf League, arrives at the event on the back of a stellar season. The 2021 British Masters winner has continued to display remarkable form, securing victories at the Senior PGA Championship in May and triumphing in a sudden-death play-off at the US Senior Open in June. These significant wins have set him on a solid path to secure a position in the coveted Lock Zone, the top 24 of the LIV Golf League.
Reflecting on his career and recent accomplishments, Bland expressed confidence without hubris. “When you get that win, you know ‘yes, I can do this’. It does not mean that you will become arrogant or cocky with it or anything like that, you just have that inner belief, when the chips are down,” he says.
His proximity to the Foxhills Club & Resort, just 15 minutes from his home, adds a comforting familiarity as he prepares to tee off at 11:50. Bland looks forward to playing on home turf, a factor that could play to his advantage.
The International Series itself has received Bland’s admiration. He commends the setup, emphasizing its role in developing elite-level players. “It is fantastic, it is great that you get some of the LIV players to strengthen the fields, it is a real opportunity for the guys that play on the Asian Tour,” Bland notes. With 25 years of experience on the Asian Tour, he speaks highly of the diverse experiences it offers. “I have played on the Asian Tour for 25 years now, and they are always a great place to go. I love the food, love the diverse cultures, the different courses, the grasses that they get to play. It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to play on one of the best tours in the world. It is a real golden ticket,” he elaborates.
Andy Ogletree, one of Bland’s fellow competitors, serves as a testament to the International Series’ potential. Ogletree’s performances on the International Series secured his spot on Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC, and he has been making waves since. Bland acknowledges this progress, stating, “You can see with Andy Ogletree, he won last year, and he is putting some good performances recently on LIV. It takes a bit of time to find your feet on LIV but he seems to be doing that now. I played with him a couple of times and he is a hell of a player. The Asian Tour is going from strength to strength and it is good to see.”
For golf enthusiasts hoping to catch the action, Golf News is offering a special treat – a 20% discount on GA tickets for all four days of the tournament. This not only provides an opportunity to witness top-level golf but also to support local heroes like Bland, who are making their mark on a global stage.
The International Series England is shaping up to be more than just a tournament; it’s a celebration of talent, perseverance, and the growing prestige of the Asian Tour. As Bland and his peers compete, their performances will undoubtedly inspire and captivate audiences, both at Foxhills and around the world.
