U.Ok.'s Bland wins rain-delayed U.S. Senior Open

NEWPORT, R.I. — Richard Bland shot a 4-under 66 within the last spherical of the U.S. Senior Open, catching chief Hiroyuki Fujita after rain postponed the end to Monday morning after which banging a chip shot off the pin to beat him on the fourth playoff gap and win his second straight senior main.

The Senior PGA champion gained 5 photographs on Fujita within the last spherical, which was delayed by thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon with eight holes remaining. When the golfers returned to the par-70, 7,024-yard Newport Nation Membership on Monday, Fujita’s consistency — he hit 38 straight fairways in regulation earlier than the rain delay — had deserted him.

After each posted 13 below in regulation and matched scores in a two-hole, combination playoff and the primary gap of sudden demise, the golfers returned to the par-4, 466-yard 18th gap for the fourth time of the day. Bland’s shot from a greenside bunker caught the pin and settled two inches from the cup; Fujita missed a 25-footer to delay the event, and Bland tapped in to say his second senior main in as many tries.

“To get this one as properly, to go two for 2, is past my wildest desires,” mentioned Bland, who received the Senior PGA at Harbor Shores final month. “I used to be simply hoping going into the PGA that I used to be ok to contend; I hadn’t performed towards these guys. However to be right here with two majors — I am puzzled in the meanwhile.”

Richard Green shot 71 and completed third, one stroke forward of Steve Stricker. The 2019 champion and the runner-up in every of the final two years, Stricker shot 66 in every of the primary three rounds however turned in a 73 within the fourth, making a bogey on the 72nd gap that dropped him into sole possession of fourth place.

Fujita had at the least a share of the lead since capturing 63 within the opening spherical and he protected it with an unprecedented consistency: He hit 54 of 56 fairways in regulation — essentially the most ever in a U.S. Senior Open. He returned to the course carrying the same-style shirt he had on Thursday, however every little thing else had modified.

The 5-foot-6 two-time MVP on the Japanese tour hit his very first shot on Monday morning into the tough, making bogeys on three of the primary 4 holes after play resumed. Bland, who began the ultimate spherical 5 strokes behind and nonetheless trailed by three once they returned after the delay, took the lead with birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 and went to the 72nd gap with an opportunity to win in regulation.

However he drove his tee shot right into a fairway bunker that would not even be in play if not for the stiff wind coming in from the crusing hotbed of Narragansett Bay. He made bogey, and when Fujita completed with a 71 they have been have been each at 13 below via 72 holes.

“We have been chasing him all week. He had the lead just about wire-to-wire,” Bland mentioned. “I made an incredible birdie on 15 to go one in entrance however sort of tripped over myself on the final.”

Bland would have extra probabilities on the par-4, 466-yard 18th gap.

Three extra, to be exact.

After each males went par-bogey on Nos. 10 and 18 within the two-hole playoff, they went again to the 18th tee; they’d hold returning till it was settled. On their fourth gap, Bland put his strategy right into a greenside bunker however then saved par. Fujita rolled his final likelihood simply contained in the coin Bland had positioned as a marker.

“I began the day with a three-shot lead. I did not play my greatest and acquired right into a playoff,” Fujita mentioned. “I undoubtedly nonetheless performed properly, and I put collectively efficiency. It will have been higher if I received. It is a bit disappointing I misplaced. Nonetheless, I am happy with myself.”

A member of the Saudi-funded LIV tour, Bland did not win on the European tour till his 478th begin, on the age of 48. He solely earned a spot within the U.S. Senior Open by profitable the Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores final month. He solely acquired his spot in that one by profitable the 2021 British Masters.

Now he’s the third golfer to win his first two begins in senior majors, together with Arnold Palmer and Alex Cejka. He additionally joins 1995 U.S. Novice champion Tiger Woods and 2006 U.S. Ladies’s Open winner Annika Sorenstam with a victory at Newport, one of many 5 founding members of the USGA.

“To be in that bracket, I am most likely doing a bit disservice, to be sincere with you,” Bland mentioned. “To be in that sort of bracket could be very, very particular and one thing you may solely dream of.”