John Louis Bland (22 September 1945 – 9 May 2023) was a South African professional golfer who won more than thirty professional tournaments around the world.
Early life and career Bland was born in Johannesburg, Union of South Africa. Turning professional in 1969, he was a leading player on the Southern African Tour for over twenty years. He spent the northern summers playing on the European Tour, where he won twice. He was a more consistent contender than this tally might suggest, as he finished in the top-20 on the Order of Merit six times.
After reaching the age of fifty in 1995, Bland played mainly on the United States-based Champions Tour. He won five tournaments on the tour, including four in 1996, when he finished third on the money list. He has also won three tournaments on the European Senior Tour.
Death Bland died after battling cancer in George, Western Cape, South Africa, on 9 May 2023, at the age of 77.
Professional wins (36) European Tour wins (2) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up121 Aug 1983Benson & Hedges International Open−15 (68-70-67-68=273)1 stroke Bernhard Langer220 Apr 1986Suze Open−12 (68-71-70-67=276)4 strokes Seve Ballesteros
Southern Africa Tour wins (19) Legend Tour Championships (2) Other Southern Africa Tour (17) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up122 Oct 1977Lexington PGA Championship−5 (68-67-70-70=275)2 strokes Gary Player229 Oct 1977Victoria Falls Classic−9 (70-69-72-72=283)3 strokes John Fourie33 Dec 1977Holiday Inns Invitational−23 (67-66-65-67=265)4 strokes Bobby Cole47 Feb 1979Holiday Inns Open (2)−21 (66-69-65-67=267)Playoff Andries Oosthuizen517 Jan 1981Sigma Series 2−15 (71-65-70-67=273)3 strokes Nick Price624 Jan 1981Sigma Series 3−15 (71-66-66-70=273)1 stroke Tienie Britz, Nick Price726 Feb 1983Holiday Inns Pro-Am (3)−17 (68-65-68-70=271)2 strokes Teddy Webber85 Mar 1983Kodak Golf Classic−17 (65-67-70-69=271)Playoff David Sann922 Dec 1984Goodyear Classic−11 (68-69-72-68=277)Playoff Nick Price1020 Dec 1987Goodyear Classic (2)−3 (71-69-72-69=281)2 strokes Mark Wiltshire1113 Mar 1988Trustbank Tournament of Champions−20 (67-66-67-68=268)3 strokes Philip Jonas, Mark McNulty1226 Nov 1988Safmarine South African Masters−13 (69-70-63-73=275)3 strokes Tony Johnstone137 Jan 1989Dewar's White Label Trophy−15 (70-66-71-66=273)1 stroke Tony Johnstone143 Mar 1990Dewar's White Label Trophy (2)−14 (64-70-71-69=274)1 stroke Jay Townsend1517 Nov 1990Minolta Copiers Match Play−2 (70)5 strokes Hugh Baiocchi1615 Dec 1990Bloemfontein Classic−15 (65-67-73-68=273)6 strokes Hugh Baiocchi1712 Jan 1991Palabora Classic−10 (70-69-68-71=278)1 stroke Mark Wiltshire1823 Feb 1991Bell's Cup−11 (68-67-71-71=277)1 stroke Retief Goosen192 Mar 1991Trustbank Tournament of Champions (2)−19 (62-71-70-66=269)7 strokes Justin Hobday
Southern Africa Tour playoff record (3–1) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11979Holiday Inns Open Andries OosthuizenWon with par on fifth extra hole21981Datsun South African Open Warren Humphreys, Gary PlayerPlayer won with birdie on third extra hole after 18-hole playoff;Player: −2 (70),Bland: −2 (70),Humphreys: E (72)31983Kodak Golf Classic David SannWon with par on third extra hole41984Goodyear Classic Nick PriceWon with birdie on first extra hole
Challenge Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner-up122 Jun 1991Martini Open−18 (270)3 strokes Jon Evans
Other wins (2) 1970 Transvaal Open 1976 Holiday Inns Champion of Champions
Senior PGA Tour wins (5) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up122 Oct 1995Ralphs Senior Classic−12 (69-67-65=201)1 stroke Jim Colbert221 Jan 1996Puerto Rico Senior Tournament of Champions−9 (69-68-70=207)1 stroke Jim Colbert32 Jun 1996Bruno's Memorial Classic−8 (67-70-71=208)Playoff John Paul Cain, Kermit Zarley418 Aug 1996Northville Long Island Classic−14 (70-66-66=202)3 strokes Jim Colbert513 Oct 1996The Transamerica−12 (69-69-66=204)1 stroke Jim Colbert
Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–1) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11996Bruno's Memorial Classic John Paul Cain, Kermit ZarleyWon with bogey on third extra holeZarley eliminated by par on second hole21997Senior British Open Gary PlayerLost to birdie on second extra hole
European Senior Tour wins (3) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up11 Oct 1995London Masters−6 (70-69-71=210)4 strokes Tony Grubb, Hugh Inggs, John Morgan, Bobby Verwey29 Aug 2009Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open−11 (65-69-65=199)Playoff Bob Boyd320 Jun 2010Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open−8 (69-68-71=208)1 stroke Ángel Franco, Chris Williams
European Senior Tour playoff record (1–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult11997Senior British Open Gary PlayerLost to birdie on second extra hole22009Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open Bob BoydWon with birdie on second extra hole
Other senior wins (4) 1997 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (with Graham Marsh), Franklin Templeton Senior South African Open 1998 Franklin Templeton Senior South African Open 2010 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf – Raphael Division (with Graham Marsh)
Results in major championships Tournament197719781979198019811982198319841985198619871988198919901991The Open ChampionshipCUTT52CUTT16CUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTCUTT53T80 Note: Bland only played in The Open Championship. CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 Open Championships) "T" = tied
Team appearances World Cup (representing South Africa): 1975 Hennessy Cognac Cup (representing the Rest of the World): 1982 Dunhill Cup (representing South Africa): 1991, 1992
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