Although Richard Brand said he never considered competing in the Senior Open to add another Senior Major to his trophy cabinet, it turns out he never got the chance to do so.
Brand won the Senior PGA Championship and Senior U.S. Open earlier this year, but he is ineligible for this week's Senior Open at Carnoustie because the event is jointly sanctioned by the DP World Tour and Open organizers The R&A.
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Richard Bland hits a great bunker shot to win the U.S. Senior Open. pic.twitter.com/vdlgcMtRAU
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 1, 2024
Brand said: “This is a public event, not a closed-door event,” and accused the R&A of not “standing up” against the DPWT.
When Brand joined LIV, he was fined for missing several DP World Tour events. He, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and others were ineligible to play in DPWT events until their fines were paid.
Brand said he would do no such thing.
Richard Brand on being denied the Senior Open 🗣https://t.co/Tv6d7o4jTi pic.twitter.com/TBTRbfPkqF
— Mirror Sport (@MirrorSport) July 26, 2024
Brand said Thursday ahead of the LIV Golf event near England:
“Li and I haven't paid our fines yet, and I don't want to pay them. I didn't plan to go back anyway. [to the DP World Tour] So I don’t understand the rationale. Ultimately, it’s a loss for the tournament and the fans not to be able to see Lee Chong Wei and me.”
Although Brand sounded like he would play if invited, he said this week that his allegiance is to LIV.
“There were rumors that LIV wouldn't allow me to leave. The truth is I didn't even ask to leave. Even if it was possible, I would still be here. This is my priority.”
Brand said he will retire once LIV no longer needs him, and he is currently ranked 22ndnd in the overall standings. If he finishes in the top 24 in the next three races, he will be guaranteed to stay with his current team through 2025.
Cover image from Sky Sports