Block began the first round on Thursday with a bogey on the par-4 1st hole and then made an eight-course meal of the par-4 2nd hole. He just missed the fairway off the tee and then came up short and left of the green with his approach. His third shot went over the green.
His fourth shot went into a bunker. His fifth shot also went over the green. He was finally on the dance floor with his sixth shot, but missed the 11-footer for triple bogey. Block then tapped in to put the carrot on the snowman for a quadruple bogey eight.
Respect to Michael Block from all of us who frequently take six shots to get down from just next to the green 👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/il7qRlerdJ
The head pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, was in the first group off Thursday morning alongside Team Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and 2003 PGA champion Shaun Micheel.
Now, he’s back for the 2024 PGA Championship, and you may be wondering: how did he qualify for that honor to play with the world’s best golfers at Valhalla?
The answer is simple: he finished in a tie for 15th, and the top-15 golfers from that tournament automatically qualified for the 2024 PGA Championship.
There you have it! Hopefully we see another miraculous fairytale run from him this year.
Block captivated those watching on television. He became an adopted son of Rochester, New York, where last year’s PGA Championship was contested at Oak Hill Country Club. And during his final round, he hit one of the tournament’s most memorable shots in recent memory: a hole-in-one at the 15th hole, playing alongside one of the sport’s biggest stars, Rory McIlroy.
“I couldn’t believe that my game held up for four straight days at Oak Hill,” Block said Tuesday. “That golf course is so hard. Just a spectacular golf course, especially when we lost the roll (on the fairways) going into Saturday when it rained. … I couldn’t believe that the 47-year-old club pro’s swing and putting stroke somehow held up during that time.”
One year later, Block returns to the PGA Championship, held at Valhalla Golf Club for the first time since 2014.
“Valhalla is just a spectacular track,” Block said. “I have not heard one negative thing said from any player or caddie this entire week. Only positives. It’s very fair. … I’m excited to get out there and tee it up.”
Here’s what you need to know about Block heading into Thursday’s opening round:
Who is Michael Block again?
Michael Block at the driving range during the final round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on May 21, 2023 in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Block is a golf instructor, serving as the head golf professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.
Michael Block reacts after being awarded the low PGA Championship Club Professional Bowl at Oak Hill Country Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports)
Block finished in a tie for 15th at the 2023 PGA Championship. It was the best showing by a PGA professional (those who teach the game) since Lonnie Nielsen tied for 11th at Inverness in 1986 — and the third-best all time.
Has Michael Block ever won on the PGA Tour?
No, Block has never won a PGA Tour tournament. Block has appeared in 30 PGA Tour events, making five cuts. His best finish was the T15 at the PGA Championship — the only cut he made in six tries during the 2022-23 season.
But he’s no stranger to success elsewhere, as he’s won the Southern California PGA Championship four times.
Has Michael Block competed in more than one PGA Championship?
Yes, this year will mark his sixth appearance in the PGA Championship. Prior to last year, he never had made the weekend at the PGA.
Coincidentally, the first time he played in the PGA was the 2014 edition … also at Valhalla.
“2014 was great,” Block said, “and the course has, I think, gained a couple hundred yards (since then). … But it’s going to — it will be a good time. Just keep it in the short grass, for sure.”
Has Michael Block played at Valhalla Golf Club prior to this year?
PGA of America Members far and wide soaked up every minute.
As a PGA of America Golf Professional with decades of lessons under his belt, Michael Block had an inkling that he’d be able to connect with doughy middle-aged men as the golf instructor and Head Professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.
With a gregarious personality and a smooth-as-silk golf game, the four-time Southern California PGA Championship winner assumed if he found his way into the spotlight at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, he might resonate with the group he resembled.
But the others? The thousands of adoring fans chanting his name in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford as they followed him at the storied East Course designed by Donald Ross? Or the millions more watching him on subsequent TV interviews after his Sunday ace propelled him into a tie for 15th place, the highest a PGA of America Golf Professional had finished in decades?
Even the cheery Block didn’t think he’d make all those connections.
“I thought I was just going to hit a chord with like 40-year-old … what do they call them? Dadbods. I thought I was going to hit a chord with them, which I think I did, but I think I hit a chord with all the other ones too, which is really, really cool,” Block said. “I met a lot of young people and old people and middle-aged people and whatever else.”
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 21, 2023
The then-46-year-old club pro aced the 151-yard par-3 15th hole at Oak Hill on Sunday with a 7-iron. Block, who was playing alongside Rory McIlroy, sent his tee shot into the air at “Plateau,” the shortest hole on the course, and dunked it.
“No, no way,” he said as the crowd erupted. “Are you kidding me?”
McIlroy smiled widely and slapped Block’s hand and gave him a congratulatory bear hug and tap to the belly.
“I’m like, ‘Why is Rory giving me a hug?’” Block said. “Rory is giving me a hug for hitting it 3, 4, 5 feet? That’s weird. I’m like, ‘I think I just made it.’”
It was the 29th ace in the PGA Championship since 1983.
And while fans from all walks of life were rallying in Block’s corner as he put together the improbable charge, perhaps the group that was pulling for him the most was his own brethren — fellow PGA of America Golf Professionals.
Kris Hart is the Senior Director of Growth and Ventures at the PGA of America and a Golf Professional himself. When Block made the cut in 2023, he said the buzz throughout the PGA of America world reverberated. Now working from the organization’s new home in Frisco, Texas, Hart said text chains and hallway chatter focused on Block’s play.
“There was just so much excitement in the halls when you saw what Michael did. As a group we’re like, all right, let’s go. Because there’s criticism, right? There’s 20 PGA of America Golf Professionals in the field. People are always asking, ‘Do they make the cut?’ Well, when someone not just makes a cut but performs and does something amazing like what Michael did, that really elevates things and makes it so much better.”
The top 20 finishers in the PGA Professional Championship are exempt into the PGA Championship: Block checked that box for the fifth time by finishing tied for second in 2023. He had missed the cut in all six majors he’d previously played in and had made the cut in just four of 24 career starts on the PGA Tour, the last in 2015 and the best a T-69.
But as he pulled into the top 10 on the leaderboard at Oak Hill for a stretch, those who also teach the game rallied behind him, hoping to will him to victory.
“It’s just a reminder to people that these players do belong,” Hart said. “I mean, they’re golf professionals. They’re not training every single day but they’re unbelievable players. And they’re even better people. If you think about how you have to balance this life, balancing your job, family and everything, it’s not easy.
“Look, I’m a PGA of America Golf Professional myself. I have a day job. I love to play, and can play well at times, but it’s good one day, and not so good on other days. That’s what made what Michael did so special.”
While the ace certainly helped Block, who needed a top-15 finish to secure a return visit to the PGA in 2024 at Valhalla, it was a clutch up-and-down par on the closing hole that sealed it, giving him a final-round 71 and punching his ticket for this week. Among the PGA Tour elite that Block’s 1-over 281 total beat last year: Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Jon Rahm, Max Homa and Dustin Johnson.
Club pro Michael Block won the hearts of fans at the PGA and also had a hole-in-one on the 15th-hole.
After his round, and after doing a session in the media center, he got a call from the tournament director at the Charles Schwab Challenge, who offered Block the final sponsor exemption. Block accepted the call on speaker phone and he and his wife got emotional with the good news. He also received an invite to the RBC Canadian Open. Plus, for his work on the course, Block earned $288,333.
His day at Oak Hill was topped off by joining the set of Golf Channel’s “Live From,” and chopped it up with Rich Lerner, Brandel Chamblee and Brad Faxon.
And PGA of America Members far and wide soaked up every minute.
“These PGA of America Members work so, so hard. And it’s gotten harder since COVID. We were the first sport back. We did an amazing job as an industry and through the golf boom,” Hart said. “What does that mean? For PGA of America Golf Professionals and the staff that work at golf courses, it’s hard. People and consumers are tough and they demand more and then when you have more consumers and more rounds than you’ve ever had before, it’s a lot to deal with.
“But the fact that they can do that and be able to play the game, well, it’s pretty cool. It’s pretty cool what Michael did. And he really did it for all of us.”
Check out the list of big names who are heading home (or to Pebble Beach) earlier than expected.
SAN DIEGO — Eight of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking made the trip to this week’s PGA Tour stop along the California coast, and five made the 36-hole cut, the only time this season there will be a Thursday cut.
While most of the top-ranked players in the field earned tee times for the South Course at Torrey Pines on Friday and Saturday, a handful of well-known players will be heading home (or up the road to Pebble Beach) earlier than planned from the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open.
In all, 79 players made the cut, leading to threesomes going off both the 1st and 10th tee.
Here are the notable PGA Tour players (and southern California club professionals) who are heading home early after missing the cut – which came in at 3 under – at Torrey Pines.
There’s something special brewing in La Quinta, California.
Thanks to a third-round 12-under 60 at La Quinta Country Club, amateur Nick Dunlap (27 under) holds the outright lead at the American Express. Dunlap made 10 birdies and an eagle on the par-5 6th (his 15th hole of the day). If he goes on to win Sunday, he’d be the first amateur to win on Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991.
Sam Burns is alone in second at 24 under, and Justin Thomas is 23 under, solo third and four back.
While the college kid is tearing it up, there are several big names heading home a day early after missing the 54-hole cut.
By winning a PGA section championship last week at Sherwood Country Club, Block has earned the berth.
Michael Block, one of the stars of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, will have another chance to show off his wares on the PGA Tour next January.
The 47-year-old club pro forever became part of PGA Championship lore when he aced the 151-yard par-3 15th hole on Sunday with a 7-iron and finished in the top 20, earning a check of $288,000 for his efforts.
After his triumphant showing, Block made subsequent appearances at the Charles Schwab Challenge and RBC Canadian Open, but missed the cut in both events.
But by winning the PGA of Southern California’s section championship last week at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Block has earned a berth in the American Express, which takes place at La Quinta.
Block started the third and final round one shot off the lead, then fired a 6-under 66 in the final round for a three-day total of 11-under 205, four shots better than runner-up Steve Saunders of Temecula Creek Golf Club.
The win, Block’s second consecutive section title and his fourth in seven years, earns Block a berth into the two non-invitational PGA Tour events played in the section, The American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.
Block played in The American Express last January and shot a 7-under 65 in the first round at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West. Block eventually missed the 54-hole cut in the La Quinta event.
The 2023 PGA marked the fifth time Block had qualified for that event, while also playing in two U.S. Opens.
The top 10 players and ties from this year’s 54-hole event at Sherwood Country Club, advance to the PGA’s National Professional championship. The top 20 players from that event earn a berth into next year’s PGA Championship. No desert golfer finished in the top 10 and ties this year, with Geoff Dean of PGA West in La Quinta and Nate Williams of Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta tying for 14th at 8-over, two shots out of a qualifying berth.
Block also found lightning in a bottle again when he traveled to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville as part of a scouting trip for next year’s tournament.
He carded seven birdies and an eagle during the practice round, finishing his round at 9 under and tying the course record, a mark that was set by Jose Maria Olazabal at the 2000 PGA Championship.
The 47-year-old club pro who forever became part of PGA Championship lore found lightning in a bottle once again.
After becoming the biggest story of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, Michael Block had largely retreated to a life of teaching the game at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.
After his triumphant showing, Block made subsequent appearances at the Charles Schwab Challenge and RBC Canadian Open, but missed the cut in both events.
But the 47-year-old club pro — who forever became part of PGA Championship lore when he aced the 151-yard par-3 15th hole at Oak Hill on Sunday with a 7-iron — found lightning in a bottle again on Thursday when he traveled to Valhalla Golf Club in Lousiville as part of a scouting trip for next year’s tournament.
Block carded seven birdies and an eagle during the practice round on Thursday, finishing his round at 9 under and tying the course record, a mark that was set by Jose Maria Olazabal at the 2000 PGA Championship.
Michael Block just tied the course record @ValhallaGolf with a 63 this afternoon as he got a look at the course ahead of the 2024 @PGAChampionship.
Block’s wild ride at the 2023 event in Upstate New York netted him nearly $300,000 as he placed him in a tie for 15th, captivating golf fans around the country in the process.
During the final round, Block aced the par-3 No. 15 hole with a shot that he dunked straight into the cup, without even hitting the flagpole. The hole-in-one brought Block’s score to even-par after his up-and-down round.
Block was paired with Rory McIlroy, the No. 3 player in the Official World Golf Ranking and four-time major winner. After Block sunk his shot at 15, McIlroy went over and gave him a hug as both players smiled. Block, seemingly in disbelief, was caught on the broadcast saying: “That didn’t go in, did it? No, no. No way. No way.”
With his finish in the top 20, Block automatically earned a berth into the 2024 event at Valhalla.
Monday is “Golf’s Longest Day,” as hundreds of golfers are competing at 10 final qualifying stages hoping to punch their tickets to the 123rd U.S. Open.
There have already been three final qualifiers completed, with the LIV Golf League’s Sergio Garcia advancing from one in Dallas on May 22. Austin Eckroat, Roger Sloan and Hank Lebioda qualified in Dallas, as well.
Ryo Ishikawa was one of three players who made it through a U.S. Open qualifier in Japan on May 22.
Viktor Hovland, fresh off his win Sunday at the Memorial, is a caddie today in a qualifier for his good buddy and former Oklahoma State teammate Zach Bauchou.
Here are some other notable names to watch at the 10 sites on June 5:
Harry Hall, Ryan Gerard, Ryan Armour, Richy Werenski, Callum Tarren, Ludvig Aberg, Martin Trainer, Jimmy Walker, Michael Block, Harry Higgs.
Hillcrest Country Club, Los Angeles
Tommy Morrison, Dylan Block, Charley Hoffman, Matt Jones, Brendan Steele.
Pine Tree Golf Club, Boynton Beach, Florida
Wesley Bryan, Carlos Ortiz, Cameron Kuchar. Of note: Matthew Wolff withdrew from this qualifier.
Hawks Ridge Golf Club, Ball Ground, Georgia
Gordon Sargent, Andy Ogletree, Bill Haas. Patton Kizzire was a WD.
Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Maryland
Marc Leishman.
Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, New Jersey
Michael Thorbjornsen, Cameron Tringale, Stewart Hagestad, Kelly Kraft, Jim Herman, Harrison Endycott. Caleb Surrat WD’d from this one.
Brookside Golf & Country Club and The Lakes Golf & Country Club, Columbus, Ohio
Kevin Chappell, Patrick Rodgers, Lucas Glover, Nicolas Echavarria, Cameron Champ, Aaron Baddeley, Ben Taylor, Stewart Cink, Peter Uihlein, Erik van Rooyen, Cole Hammer, Luke List, Peter Malnati, Davis Thompson, Kyle Stanley, Matthew NeSmith, Chris Gotterup, David Lingmerth, Sam Ryder, Jason Kokrak, Kevin Streelman, Nick Watney, Geoff Ogilvy, Ben An.
Springfield Country Club, Springfield, Ohio
Troy Merritt, Dylan Wu, Beau Hossler, Scott Piercy, Thomas Detry, Willie Mack III, Mark Hubbard, Taylor Pendrith, Robert Garrigus, JJ Spaun, Nick Hardy, Bo Hoag. Davis Love III WD’d from here.
Time will tell if these players can earn their way into the 123rd U.S. Open.
The longest day in golf is just around the corner as players are preparing to chase their spot in the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angles Country Club, scheduled for June 15-18.
Final qualifying will be held over 36 holes, and 10 venues around the country (and Canada) are set to host some of the biggest names in the sport.
Members of the LIV Golf League who are not already exempt into the field will take part in the annual tradition. Some of those names include Harold Varner III, Marc Leishman, Brendan Steele, Carlos Ortiz and Matthew Wolff.
There are several PGA Tour players participating as well, including both 2023 Ryder Cup captains, Zach Johnson and Luke Donald.
Here are the 10 venues set to host final qualifying.
Lambton Golf & Country Club, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hillcrest Country Club, Los Angeles California
Pine Tree Golf Club, Boynton Beach, Florida
Hawks Ridge Golf Club, Ball Ground, Georgia
Woodmont Country Club (North Course), Rockville, Maryland
Canoe Brook Country Club (North & South Courses), Summit, New Jersey
Old Chatham Golf Club, Durham, North Carolina
Brookside Golf & Country Club and The Lakes Golf & Country Club, Columbus, Ohio
Springfield (Ohio) Country Club
Tacoma Country & Golf Club, Lakewood, Washington
Here are 10 players to keep your eye on Monday, June 5, as they try to earn their way into the 123rd U.S. Open.
