Golf star LIV matches Jack Nicklaus with remarkable feat, sends message to PGA Tour

LIV golf star Richard Bland has etched his name alongside the great Jack Nicklaus in the sport’s history books after winning the US Senior Open at Newport Country Club on Monday.

Bland won his second consecutive senior major title, having won on his debut at the Senior PGA Championship last month. In doing so, he joins an illustrious group of players alongside Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Roger Chapman and Colin Montgomerie who have won both the Senior PGA and the Senior US Open.

The event in Newport, Rhode Island, was scheduled to finish as usual on Sunday, but inclement weather conditions forced the second half of the fourth and final round to be completed 24 hours later.

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After that delay, Bland capitalised on his achievement by dramatically reducing a three-shot deficit with eight holes remaining. Having worked his way to the top of the leaderboard, the Englishman looked set to claim the title, but a bogey on the 18th hole sent him into a play-off against Hiroyuki Fujita.

And after four holes of playoff, it was finally Bland who came out on top thanks to an excellent shot from the bunker. The LIV star launched his attempt from the sand directly towards the flag, bouncing off the flag, which allowed him to land a safe par shot to secure the victory over Fujita who could only make bogey.

By becoming champion, Bland pocketed a whopping £633,000 ($800,000) and a second major crown. Bland said afterwards: “It’s very special. I can’t really put it into words at the moment. It was a tough day, we were chasing him all week. I think he had the lead from start to finish.