New BetFred British Masters champion Richard Bland handed David Drysdale a huge encouragement lift by declaring his long-time Scottish golfing colleague and friend he’s ‘more than good enough’ to end his own long European Tour winning drought.
Bland, 48, shrugged off a 478 European Tour victory drought in dramatic manner in holing a three-foot par putt at the first extra play-off hole at The Belfry.
Richard Bland creates Tour history in ending a long winless round to become a European Tour winner
The very affable Bland, who had dropped just one shot in 73 holes on the famed Ryder Cup host venue, denied 24-year-old Italian sensation Guido Migliozzi who three-putted for bogey.
There were emotional scenes first when Bland holed a 28-footer for birdie at the last hole in his round of a six-under par 66 to finish on 13-under par and then around an hour later in finally becoming a Tour winner.
The tears flowed particularly when Bland found himself being interviewed by SKY Sports Golf, Tim Barter and his coach for almost all of Bland’s 25-years as a pro.
Southampton supporter Bland had made his Tour debut at the 1998 Open Championship and prior to this week enjoyed a best of three second place finishes.
And while thrilled to be taken off the list of ‘Players Played The Most Tournaments Without A Victory’, Bland had strong words of encouragement for Drysdale who earlier in the week missed the cut in his 523rd Tour event.
Bland said: ““My advice to David is just keep going, they’re all good enough to win.
“‘Double D’ has been up there and he’s had a few close calls in the last couple of years, I think the one in Qatar – Jorge Campillo was holing everything he looked at and I’m sure David was thinking, ‘what have I got to do?’
“But I’ve known David for donkey’s years and we have a laugh about it. He’s a great guy and he’s more than good enough to win.
“Anyone who pegs it up on the European Tour these days is good enough to win.
“I’m sure he keeps going and as long as he stays fit and healthy then that win is going to come for him”.
Scotland’s David Drysdale with wife and super-caddy, Vicky
Disappointment for the Scottish duo of Robert MacIntyre and Calum Hill having been in contention from the outset but dropping from contention in posting identical 71s to share eighth place on 10-under par.
MacIntyre went close to an ace at the seventh with his tee shot hitting the bottom of the flagstick but then missing his birdie putt in a round that included only three birdies.
He said: “I would have taken top-10 at the start of the week, but not the way I was playing today. It’s disappointing.
“You need bits of luck to go your way to win golf tournaments and I seem to see that sort of thing, smashing a pin like on seven, happen to me a few times when I’m in contention.
“I had 160 yards and somehow I got a 9-iron to it. I wanted to hit 8-iron but Mike persuaded me to hit 9 and mid-flight I was just praying it wasn’t going to come up short.”
“It was so close to going straight in the cup and it hit right at the bottom of the flag.
“Some days you are the dog and some days you are the lamppost.”
MacIntyre was remaining in the Birmingham area overnight before jetting out later today (SUN) to the States in readiness for Thursday’s starting PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.
