Greenbrier Preview: Cleeks look for West Virginia rebound after frustrating LIV Golf UK finish
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – With just two regular season events remaining before the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, Cleeks GC will be looking to rebound this week at LIV Golf Greenbrier after a disappointing display at last month's LIV Golf UK.
A little more than two weeks ago, the all-European combination finished well down the team leaderboard in 11th place, having arrived at JCB Golf & Country Club to the north of Birmingham on the back of impressive performances in five consecutive tournaments.
While the ultra-consistent Richard Bland closed with a 2-under 69, Poland's Adrian Meronk signed off with a 70, captain Martin Kaymer carded a 73 and Finland's Kalle Samooja returned a 74 as the Cleeks collectively posted a 2-over aggregate in the final round.
It was a frustrating way to end the week after the Cleeks had strung together five successive points finishes - the longest streak in the team's LIV Golf history.
"It's just a question of everything coming together for all three rounds," said the 51-year-old Bland. "So often we seem to have one day where we're maybe not at the races. At the end of the day, everybody on our team is out there giving it 100 percent.
"We will certainly be in the hunt again very, very soon, and of course we want to stand on that podium like every team does. We're a good team and I think there's definitely more to come."
The Cleeks are currently eighth in the team standings - 58.5 points outside third place, which is the final seed to earn a first-round bye for the season-ending Team Championship to be played at Maridoe Golf Club in Texas from September 20-22.
Having finished second, first, T-6, T-6 and 11th in their last five LIV Golf starts, the Cleeks are running out of time to secure a coveted top-three spot. However, they are still one of eight teams that have a chance to earn a top-three seeding going into Greenbrier.
"Our success in Houston just shows you the group of guys we've got, the team spirit, and what we're capable of," said Englishman Bland, referring to the Cleeks' first-ever team victory at LIV Golf Houston two months ago. "We're going to do this again."
Bland has very happy personal memories of LIV Golf Greenbrier, having finished in a tie for third on the individual leaderboard 12 months ago after closing with a 5-under 65. His performance at The Old White course over those three days lifted him from 32nd in the season-long standings to 23rd - a prized position inside the top 24 (the Lock Zone).
"I love to compete no matter what," said Bland, who is known for his accuracy from tee to green. "Yeah, I'm at a disadvantage length-wise. I know that. But there's other places, other areas of my game I can be better than others. It's the old cliche: you've just got to focus on yourself, one shot at a time, and hopefully put another good one together."
Bland has enjoyed a hugely successful 2024 campaign, highlighted by Cleeks GC's team victory in Houston and his individual wins at the Senior PGA Championship and Senior U.S. Open Championship – after his first two starts in the over-50 ranks.
"I've been pretty consistent all year and I don't see why that should change," Bland said with a broad grin. "Obviously winning is always great. You learn new things about yourself, how you handle yourself.
"It will just make you better for the next time you're in that position. It doesn't mean to say that you're going to win the next one, but it just gives you more calmness that if you are in that situation again you know you can handle it, that you can do it. It gives you the best opportunity to do it again."