Richard Bland admitted he shouldn’t “tweet under the influence” after getting into a LIV Golf-related argument with fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell. Now he’s deactivated his account altogether.
Bland, 50, plays for LIV Golf, which had one of the most memorable moments in its short history last weekend at its first event in Australia. Chase Koepka made a hole-in-one on the par-3, 12th hole and was showered with beer by the fans on hand in Adelaide.
Some proponents of the Saudi-backed breakaway league said it was evidence of LIV creating an unparalleled atmosphere for professional golf tournaments, but Pepperell told a commenter that the PGA Tour has had a similar environment at the WM Phoenix Open.
“This has been happening at Scottsdale for years now, so not sure how much LIV is really changing things here,” wrote the 32-year-old Pepperell, who plays on the DP World Tour.
The comment clearly caught Bland’s attention.
“Ed.. tell me where on DP World there’s been a hole like this?” Bland wrote. “Because in 22yrs of playing the tour I can’t think of any. But maybe your 15 minutes on tour you know different.”
Pepperell responded with a short list of examples, along with a jab back: “Suppose it’s simple; in my 15 minutes I won more events than you did in 22 years.”
Where to start…
Suppose it’s simple; in my 15 minutes I won more events than you did in 22 years.
What the Tour has done (just to name a few);
GolfSixes
Heineken hole at Himmerland
Beat the Pro in HollandThe Tour, which you spent 22 years on did ok for you mate.
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) April 23, 2023
Bland’s apology blamed it on the alcohol.
“Unfortunately I did have too many last (night) Ed,” Bland reportedly wrote before deactivating the account Tuesday. “I apologize for what I said. I should know better not to tweet under the influence.”
–Field Level Media
