Richard Bland admits it would mean “everything” to finally win his first European Tour title at the 478th attempt at the 2021 Betfred British Masters hosted by Danny Willett.
The Englishman added a 69 to his opening 68 at The Belfry to sit in a share of the lead at seven under after 36 bogey free holes, and heads into the weekend third on the European Tour's list of all time appearance makers without a win.
David Drysdale tops the list at 522 - he is playing his 523rd event this week - with another Scot in Ross Drummond having recorded 487 starts without lifting a trophy.
England's Malcolm MacKenzie went 508 events but broke his duck at the 509th attempt at the 2002 Open de France, and Bland would love to follow in his footsteps and claim that maiden trophy late in his career.
“It would mean everything, especially at my age,” said the 48-year-old, a two time Qualifying School and four time European Challenge Tour graduate.
We’re all here to win and if I could do that at such an iconic event as the British Masters, that would be all your Christmases coming at once, I think
“The chances are probably going to come fewer and farther between - that’s not being negative, that’s being pretty realistic.
“I’m going to try and go out there and not think about it too much. The old cliché, just one shot at a time as best I can.
“I can’t win the tournament tomorrow, just go out there and try to play as good as I have the last two days and putt a little better.
“To go 36 holes without a bogey is extra special. It doesn’t happen very often, especially round here where there are four or five holes that can really catch you out.
“You really have to stand up and hit a proper golf shot, even just to make par, so I’m really happy with the way I’ve played. I think I’ve only missed four fairways in two rounds and they were not by a lot, so my greens in regulation stats are pretty high as well.”
While Bland's focus this weekend will firmly be on getting that victory, he admits he has one eye on the future and a career on the seniors circuit when he turns 50 in 21 months.
"I’m already looking ahead," he said. "I can go to the Champions Tour Qualifying at the end of next year which I plan to do.
"So a win is a big incentive for me this year, to play well so I can play again on the European Tour next year and stay competitive and get into the Champions Tour and get my playing rights out there and that’s my plan.
"Of course we’re all here to win and if I could do that at such an iconic event as the British Masters, that would be all your Christmases coming at once I think."
