Richard Bland has revealed DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley produced a stunning confession prior to his defection to LIV Golf several months ago.
The Englishman has played in every LIV event so far and was part of a conglomerate of rebels fined by the DP World Tour and banned for three events over their participation in the series.
But speaking about the events which unfolded, Bland has revealed the circuit’s CEO admitted to him on numerous occasions he would have done “exactly the same” if he were in his position.
“When we played at Centurion, we certainly didn’t know what was going on,” Bland told Matt Le Tissier on the former footballer’s podcast. “I had two or three meetings with Keith Pelley, our CEO, and he said to me [when] we were at the Belfry at the British Masters, ‘If I was in your position I’d do exactly the same as you’re going to do.’”
The comments come as a stunning revelation given the events which transpired after the British Masters. Just two months later, Pelley came out in ardent defence of his Tour while slamming LIV’s defectors for jumping ship.
“Those who have chosen this route have not only disrespected them [the players] and our Tour, but also the meritocratic ecosystem of professional golf that has been the bedrock of our game for the past half a century.” He said after confirming the suspensions of LIV’s rebels.
This was followed by Pelley signing a “strategic alliance” with the PGA Tour as he made it crystal clear whose side he’s on in golf’s ongoing civil war. Bland meanwhile, was fined £100,000 by the DP World Tour boss…
“The sanctions that were put on us, certainly the financial aspects, I think have been very unfair,” he continued. “£100,000 for basically breaching the regulations which is normally a £10,000 fine. But because it’s a LIV event, and they see it as hostile, it’s now 10 times the penalty.”
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George Cooper
