- 48-year-old British golfer Richard Bland won his first ever
European Tour event Saturday. - Victory at the British Masters makes Bland the oldest player ever to secure a first victory on tour.
- Bland broke down in tears on the 18th green, and again when speaking to his family.
Richard Bland, a 48-year-old journeyman from the UK, secured his first victory on the European Tour Saturday, becoming the oldest winning debutant in the tour's history.
Bland came through the field on the final day of the British Masters at The Belfry, scoring a six-under-par 66 to finish on 13-under for the tournament, and force a playoff with 24-year-old Italian Guido Migliozzi.
Playing the 18th as the first playoff hole, Bland carded a par, while Migliozzi three-putted for bogey, handing Bland victory in the 478th tournament of his professional career, which began almost 25 years ago in 1996.
Only one player in European Tour history has taken longer to secure a win, with Englishman Malcolm McKenzie earning his first victory in his 509th tournament in 2002.
After holing his final putt, a visibly emotional Bland broke down, covering his face with his cap, struggling to hold back tears. Almost immediately, Bland was pulled into an interview with Sky Sports, in which he could be seen crying, overwhelmed by the emotion of the victory.
"I can't. Next question," Bland replied with a smile as he was asked to describe his emotions. "I've done it. I've done it," he added, covering his face once again.
"My game had been trending in the right way and I'd worked really hard," Bland, who only carded one bogey in the entirety of the four-round tournament, said. "I drove the ball so well this week. I've gone back to my old driver."
"A big incentive for me this year was to get to 500 events and this will allow me to do that, which I'll be hugely proud of," Bland said after the win.
Bland's career as a professional golfer began in the mid-90s, and since then he has lost his card on the European Tour - meaning he didn't meet the performance criteria to play - a number of times.
Most recently, Bland lost his European Tour card in 2018, but managed to requalify via the Challenge Tour, which sits a rung below the European Tour.
After his emotional 18th green interview, Bland was then surprised with a Zoom call from his family, which was broadcast live.
As he walked over to the laptop displaying his parents, Bland turned to Sky
"We're all in tears Blandy," Barter replied, his voice cracking.
As he spoke to his family, Bland asked his visibly emotional mother if she was OK. "No," she replied through tears, before adding: "I've been waiting for this for so long."
"You and me both," Bland said.
Bland's victory at The Belfry means he gains a two-year exemption on the European Tour, meaning that he cannot lose his status on the tour until 2023, regardless of his performances in the coming months.
He also took home a prize of over £292,000 ($412,000).
Bland's win comes just weeks after another emotional story of success in the face of long-term adversity in elite