DP World Tour stars clash: ‘I won more in 15 minutes than you in 22 years’
By Matt Chivers
Eddie Pepperell has not been one to shirk an argument about politics in golf on social media.
His debates usually come with Lee Westwood, who has played in every LIV Golf event, but this time, it was another former English veteran of the DP World Tour.
Pepperell had got involved in a Twitter thread about the Watering Hole at LIV Golf Adelaide, which saw raucous scenes when Chase Koepka made a hole-in-one.
After pointing out the ‘party hole’ concept has long been adopted at the WM Phoenix Open on the PGA Tour, Pepperell was asked why it hadn’t been adopted on the DP World Tour.
“We’ve tried and done plenty of different stuff over the years on ET/DPWT,” he explained in response.
“More than every other tour combined probably. Can’t tell you how many juniors have hit it inside me on par 3’s in Holland!”
This was a comment Bland took issue with, and questioned Pepperell’s experience on the circuit formerly known as the European Tour.
“Ed… tell me where on DP World there’s been a hole like this?” He said. “Because in 22 years of playing the tour, I can’t think of any. But maybe your 15 minutes on tour you know different.”
This was when Pepperell delivered the hay-maker.
“Where to start… Suppose it’s simple; in my 15 minutes I won more events than you did in 22 years.”
And he wasn’t done there.
“What the tour has done (just to name a few): GolfSixes, Heineken Hole at Himmerland, Beat the Pro in Holland – the tour, which you spent 22 years on, did OK for you mate.”
Oof.
Pepperell won his second DP World Tour title at the British Masters in 2018, the same event where Bland shot to stardom with his first victory in 2021 on his 478th start.
It was arguably his win at the Belfry that earned Bland the profile and narrative which made him attractive to LIV Golf and Greg Norman.
Bland has since apologised for his initial comment towards Pepperell, revealing he’d had one too many drinks before pressing “send.”
However, all was forgiven and the pair ended the argument by exchanging pleasantries.
NCG vs Eddie Pepperell
Watch NCG’s Hannah Holden take on Eddie Pepperell in the player below, or on our YouTube channel.
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
