Richard Bland was born on February 3rd, 1973 in Southampton, England. He turned pro in 1996 and made many failed attempts at the qualifying school. In 2001 he finished 10th on the Challenge Tour. As a result he was a rookie on the European Tour the next season and finished 73rd on the order of merit.

Bland then lost his card the following season and had to return to the Challenge Tour. In his first season back he won the Challenge Tour Grand final to finish 13th in the rankings. Bland has remained on the European Tour since and 2006 was his best season.