Richard Bland: "I Found Out What The US Open Is Really About"
The Englishman endured a tough weekend to finish T50th after holding the 36-hole lead at Torrey Pines

The Englishman endured a tough weekend to finish T50th after holding the 36-hole lead at Torrey Pines
Richard Bland: "I Found Out What The US Open Is Really About"
Richard Bland says he "found out what the US Open is really about" over the weekend after holding the 36-hole lead at Torrey Pines.
The Englishman, who won his first European Tour title at last month's British Masters, played incredible golf over the first two days before fading to a T50th finish.
He carded rounds of 70, 67, 77 and 78 to finish the tournament at eight-over-par.
"Yeah, yeah, like I've just said there, this is probably a game of two halves," the 48-year-old said after his closing 78.
"The first two days were great, and then I found out what the US Open is really about.
"I was hoping that it would be firm and fast, and it was.
"It shows you the guys that are right in there that you just have to be on top of your game in every department.
Related: Amazon Prime Day Golf Deals 2021
"If there's something that's just 5 percent off, it just kills you out here.
"You just get it slightly in the wrong position, it's hard to get the ball up-and-down. But that's the US Open, and that's the test that we're all presented with, and I wasn't up to it this weekend.
"But overall it's been a positive week. I'll probably remember the first two days more than the second two, so a little bit disappointing, but it's been a good week."
Related: 10 Things you didn't know about Richard Bland
The new World No.111 received a very modest boost in the world rankings and will surely look back on this week, just his fourth Major start, with great fondness.
Elliott Heath is our Senior Staff Writer and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news, features, courses and travel sections as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as four Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays at West Byfleet Golf Club in Surrey, where his handicap index floats anywhere between 2-5. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: TaylorMade SIM2 Max
Hybrid: TaylorMade SIM Max
Irons: Mizuno MP5 4-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
-
World Top Five Set To Feature At Memorial Tournament
Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm are just some of the big names featuring at Muirfield Village in Ohio
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Brooks Koepka Cracks Driver At LIV Golf DC
The American damaged his driver on the sixth hole, but wasn't allowed to replace it until a few holes later
By Matt Cradock • Published
-
Who Is Justin Thomas’ Wife?
The American star married Jillian Wisniewski in November 2022
By Matt Cradock • Last updated
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin • Published
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath • Last updated
-
The Masters Live Stream: How To Watch The Major
Here are all the details on how you can watch the Major wherever you are in the world.
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
12 Things You Didn't Know About Gary Woodland
We get to know US Open Champion Gary Woodland a little better
By Sam Tremlett • Published
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset • Last updated
-
Who Coaches Tiger Woods?
Who has worked with the American over his career and who currently acts as his swing coach? We take a look.
By Sam Tremlett • Last updated
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock • Last updated