England’s Richard Bland secured the US Senior Open title by defeating Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita in a dramatic playoff on Monday.
The 51-year-old, who plays in the LIV Golf League, began the final round five shots behind Fujita at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. Bland’s impressive four-under-par 66 brought him level with Fujita, both finishing at 13-under 267 after 72 holes.
Fujita, 55, faced challenges during the storm-delayed final round, recording three bogeys in four holes and finishing with a 71. The initial two-hole aggregate playoff ended with both players parring, leading to sudden death on the par-4 18th hole. After both bogeyed the first sudden-death hole, they returned to the 18th.
Bland’s approach landed in a greenside bunker, while Fujita’s shot found the rough. Bland’s bunker shot nearly holed, setting up an easy par.
Fujita missed his 20-foot par putt, giving Bland his second senior major title following his Senior PGA Championship win in May.
Reflecting on his victory, Bland said:
“I was just hoping going into the PGA that I was good enough to contend… But with two majors… I’m at a loss for words.”
Bland’s win earned him a spot in next year’s US Open at Oakmont. He joins Arnold Palmer and Alex Cejka as one of the few to win his first two senior major starts.
Fujita expressed disappointment, saying:
“I was really hoping to take that trophy home.”
