Tag: Michael Block

Michael Block knew he’d connect with ‘dadbods,’ but not the others at Charles Schwab Challenge

Michael Block again insisted it was his driver that was his downfall in missing the cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

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FORT WORTH, Texas — The stats don’t bear it out, but days after proclaiming that he’d “be one of the best players in the world” with Rory McIlroy’s length, Michael Block again insisted it was his driver that was his downfall in missing the cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

However, a quick look shows that the 46-year-old PGA Championship darling and full-time teaching pro had a worse Strokes Gained: Approach to Green game at Colonial Country Club than he did Strokes Gained: Off the Tee.

In other words, Block’s game simply failed him at a place where short hitters often have their best chance.

Still, Block said on Friday that he was humbled by the support he received from a large crowd at the PGA Tour event this week. He’s heading back home now to California, giving himself a chance to unpack all the emotions from a two-week stretch that saw him on an ESPN featured group and making appearances on numerous networks.

“I’m not going to let it all out until I get probably in the … when I get to my house and I’m sitting in the backyard,” Block said after carding a 74 on Friday, not nearly good enough to get into weekend contention, but much better than the 81 he posted on Thursday. “I can’t talk about this stuff right now. My black lab Messy, he’s waiting for me. I haven’t seen him in almost two weeks, and I can’t wait to get home and throw the ball with him.”

Block had more double bogeys (five) than birdies in his 36 holes at Colonial and his 15-over 155 put him five shots below everyone else on the board.

“The tee shots killed me, honestly, this week. I still had the short game. I still had the irons. I still had the putter and everything else, but I’m usually a very straight driver and I love a cut, and I was not feeling it,” he said. “From the first tee shot where I blocked it right, I was either blocking it right or pulling it left. Block it right, pull left.”

Still, he connected with fans, many who cheered him on well into the second round. Block had a respectable group following him throughout the day, even while Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth were on the course.

Block said he was in awe of the response, even with groups he did not think he’d connect with.

“I appreciate everybody that’s shown their support. The people here, the pros here, the members here, the volunteers here, and the fans have been amazing,” Block said. “I thought I was just going to hit a chord with like 40-year-old … what do they call it? Dadbods. I thought I was going to hit a chord with the dadbods, which I think I did, but I think I hit a chord with all the other ones too, which is really, really cool. I met a lot of young people and old people and middle-aged people and whatever else.

“It’s my appreciation to them all. I just want to say thank you.”

Block will keep chugging away, practicing as he always has between lessons as the golf instructor at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California. In fact, he estimates that if you add up all the minutes he spent practicing that it would be “10 years worth.”

And he’ll be back on Tour during the RBC Canadian Open in early June, playing on another sponsor’s exemption.

“I can’t wait for Canada, to tell you the truth,” Block said. “I cannot wait. I cannot wait to get to Toronto.”

Photos: Michael Block through the years

View photos of Michael Block throughout his golfing career.

Michael Block took the golf world by storm at the 2023 PGA Championship after a T-15 finish at Oak Hill.

The club pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, in Mission Viejo, California, had a week to remember in Rochester, New York. Between playing with Rory McIlroy in the final round of a major, a hole-in-one and one of the best up-and-downs we’ve seen in recent history, Block is one of the biggest names in the game at the moment.

After his performance at Oak Hill, the sponsor invites came flooding in and resulted in Block changing his flight back home to California to Fort Worth, Texas, to play at Colonial.

The golf world should know that Block is no flash in the pan. He’s played in over 25 PGA Tour events including two U.S. Opens and five PGA Championships. Block also won Southern California PGA Player of the Year honors nine times between 2012 and 2022.

His T-15 at Oak Hill not only netted him a couple of sponsor invites, but it also gave him an exemption into the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Until then, let’s all enjoy the Block party.

Michael Block crashing back to Earth, Harry Hall’s birdiefest lead our 5 things to know from first round at 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge

Many of the pertinent storylines leading up to the Charles Schwab Challenge were tossed out the window.

FORT WORTH, Texas — As is often the case, many of the storylines that seemed pertinent leading up to the opening round of the 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge were kindly tossed out the window through the first 18 holes of action at Colonial Country Club.

Teaching pro and PGA Championship darling Michael Block brought plenty of buzz to the event but he fizzled while part of a featured group on ESPN.

Jordan Spieth, who said his wrist was ready for a run at one of his favorite tournaments, managed just a pedestrian 2-over 72.

And Collin Morikawa, who was one of the betting favorites, finished with a 73, his worst round in 13 at the storied club.

While those storylines didn’t hold up through the first day, that leads us to five things you should know after the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge.

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Michael Block wasn’t the only one who had his biggest payday at the 2023 PGA Championship. His caddie did too

Caddie John Jackson did some math on the calculator app on his phone after Block finished T-15.

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Club pro Michael Block wasn’t the only one who cashed the biggest check of his life at the 105th PGA Championship on Sunday.

His caddie, John Jackson, did the math on the calculator app of his phone  Sunday evening after Block finished T-15, the best result by a club pro since 1986, and earned $288,333. Jackson’s take home: $20,183.31.

In a video that was posted on social media, Block looks at the figure (7 percent of Block’s winnings) on Jackson’s phone, smiles widely, slaps him five and gives him knuckles.

“It’s been unreal, surreal, literally a dream, a movie, whatever,” Jackson said Sunday as Block was honored at the 18th green for being the low finisher among the club pros. “Mike and I were pinching ourselves going down the fairways. It was weird. The whole thing is crazy.”

Jackson’s regular job is caddying for resort guests at Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach, California, where he’s looped full-time since 2017. In college, Jackson played for the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters and was part of the NCAA Division II National Championship team in 2011.

Block was one of 20 PGA professionals to qualify for the PGA Championship. He is a 10-time Southern California PGA Player of the Year and the reigning PGA Professional of the Year. Jackson and Block met as competitors at a California State Open around 10 years ago. Block played at the TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational one year and Jackson got on his bag and they almost won.

Jackson had previously worked a few majors, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – but only for amateurs – and the PGA Tour Champions Pure Insurance Open for the last 15 years. Jackson caddied for Block at the PGA at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last year during the practice rounds but got promoted to full status at Oak Hill.

“He called me and said, ‘Do you want to do the whole week this year?’ And we made it the whole week,” Jackson said.

Of Block’s hole-in-one, Jackson noted that he hadn’t made a putt all day. “I said, ‘Just hit it closer,’ ” Jackson recalled.

He did, flying a 7-iron at 15 directly into the cup.

“I wasn’t helping much because I was pumping him up,” Jackson said.

Initially, Jackson planned to decompress on Monday and Tuesday and get back to reality. He said he had some vacationers who had requested work. That all changed when Block was offered a sponsor exemption into the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, which got underway Thursday. Jackson is back on the bag for another Tour start and a chance for another gigantic payday.

“I’d do it again right now if I could,” Jackson said Sunday.

It turns out he didn’t have to wait that long.

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Michael Block says if he had Rory McIlroy’s length off the tee, he’d be ‘one of the best players in the world’

“Oh, my God. What I would shoot from where Rory hits it, would be stupid.”

Michael Block is golf’s feel-good story of 2023.

A PGA pro from California finishing T-15 at the PGA Championship to automatically earn himself a spot in the 2024 PGA at Valhalla. And it wasn’t just the accomplishment, it was the way he did it.

Electric on-course TV interviews, viral clips and a Sunday hole-in-one playing alongside the No. 3-ranked player in the world.

And this week, Block is in Fort Worth, Texas, to play in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial after receiving an invite just moments after completing his final round at Oak Hill — he was also given a spot in the RBC Canadian Open in a few weeks.

Since his rise to the spotlight, Block has appeared on SportsCenter, Good Morning America, the ForePlay podcast and several other media outlets including Bob Menery’s “RipperMagoo” podcast.

During his episode, Menery asked Block about the difference between his game and Rory McIlroy’s.

“He’s a lot longer than I am. That’s what it is,” he said.

Block would go on to say: “Oh, my God. What I would shoot from where Rory hits it, would be stupid. I think I’d be one of the best players in the world.”

Watch the full clip here:

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What other PGA Tour players are saying about Michael Block at Charles Schwab Challenge: ‘He’s a legend’

Other PGA Tour players have enjoyed the ride as much as fans.

FORT WORTH, Texas — A few days removed from one of the most compelling storylines of the golf season, Michael Block was still the talk of the town in Rochester, where he made history with a top-15 finish at the PGA Championship.

But the buzz has followed Block to the Dallas Metroplex, where he’s making a surprise appearance at the Charles Schwab Challenge. Block was a late addition to the field after University of Texas star Parker Coody, the grandson of 1971 Masters champ Charles Coody, withdrew from the event.

As he did at Oak Hill, Block endeared himself to the media with stories of his journey, which has included rubbing elbows with sports royalty.

And other PGA Tour players have enjoyed the ride as much as fans. Despite an impressive field at Colonial Country Club that included the likes of Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Billy Horschel as well as Texas staples Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler, many of the questions — and lengthy answers — have focused on Block and the optimism he brings to the game.

Here’s what others had to say this week:

Michael Block on appearance at PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge: ‘It’s just a dream. I’m just cruising’

“I think if I sit down and think about it too much, I’m not sure I could swing the club on Thursday.”

Shhhh, Michael Block is still sleeping — let him enjoy the rest. Although the weather is a little warmer in Texas than he’s accustomed to, a little sweat on his brow isn’t about to shake the darling of the PGA Championship from the spectacular slumber he’s currently enjoying.

On Tuesday, Block met with the media in advance of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, where he’ll be making a surprise appearance thanks to a sponsor exemption.

And he’s simply trying to keep this magical run alive for as long as he can, using his big showing to secure invites this week and at the upcoming RBC Canadian Open.

“I’ve said it a lot, but it’s just a dream. I’m just cruising. I’m actually kind of glad that at this point I haven’t come to the reality about what’s happening so I can actually play pretty good golf,” said Block, who had to scramble to find shorts for an afternoon in the Texas heat after wearing only long, dark pants. “I think, if I sit down and think about it too much, I’m not sure I could swing the club on Thursday.”

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After an appearance for the ages at Oak Hill Country Club, one that earned the teaching pro a ticket to next year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, Block has been in high demand. Block shot a 1-over 71 in the final round to finish T-15 at 1 over for the tournament.

“I really apologize to all my friends and fans and PGA members out there that have texted me. I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. I literally scroll and scroll and scroll, and it’s never-ending,” Block said. “I can’t even get to the bottom of any of my feeds to even see how many or who’s seeing me. So it’s been crazy.”

For example, Block exchanged texts with Michael Jordan after a performance that included an astonishing hole-in-one, part of a $288,333 payday earned when he finished tied with Tyrrell Hatton and Eric Cole.

Even for Block, the message from the former Chicago Bulls star was a special one.

“I’m a big Jordan guy my whole life. I was a little kid in Iowa saving 100 bucks for a pair of Jordans back in the day,” Block said. “Pretty darn cool, to say the least.”

But it’s not like Block hasn’t hobnobbed with sports royalty before his surprise showing last week. He befriended Albert Pujols when the slugger was plying his craft in Los Angeles, and even has an invitation to the future baseball Hall of Famer’s wedding. He’s also close with Patrick Cantlay, with whom he often plays in Southern California.

Although the 46-year-old golf instructor at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, hasn’t known fame like this before, he’s been adjacent to it enough to understand it a bit.

“I’ve been around it in a weird kind of small way in little tidbits here and there over the last 10 years. So I’m somewhat comfortable with it,” he said. “It’s just weird now where I come up through a gate and the guys at the gate are screaming ‘Block Party’ when I’m going through, and the guy making me an omelet gave me knuckles and said I did awesome last week.

“I mean, that’s the part where it’s a little beyond me at this point. So it’s cool, but I’m trying to enjoy it. I feel somewhat natural with it, so it’s cool.”

Block has tried to soak in the adoration, as he spent time taking photos with fans throughout the week in Rochester and even spent time at a local watering hole after making the cut.

But even Block is a little uncertain how to handle some of the propositions he’s received in the last few days, including one person who offered him $30,000 for his 7-iron.

While he was flattered, he’ll need that club if he hopes to make another improbable charge this week. Although he finished well at Oak Hill, he missed the cut in the two previous starts he was given on the PGA Tour this season, one at the Farmers Insurance Open and the other at the American Express.

“I’ve had a couple different offers actually. It’s crazy, right? I’ve had a couple different offers, and the initial response was it was $50,000 and I’d hand deliver it. Kind of kiddingly, but I guess not really anymore,” he said.

“But I’ve had other people ask about it to maybe have it preserved in certain spots for the PGA, et cetera, stuff like that. So it’s up in the air. For right now it just needs to hit shots in there close for me, and I’ll go from there.”

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Michael Block has better odds to finish inside top 40 at Charles Schwab Challenge than several PGA Tour winners, including Kevin Kisner, European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald

Will you be betting on Block this week at Colonial?

The People’s Champion, Michael Block, had the best week of his life in Rochester, New York, at the PGA Championship. The 46-year-old shot rounds of 70-70-70-71 to finish in a tie for 15th, good enough for an automatic invitation to the 2024 PGA at Valhalla.

However, that won’t be the next time we see Block.

The PGA pro was invited to this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, moments after finishing his final round at Oak Hill. Block was also given a spot in the RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf and Country Club slated for June 8-11.

More Charles Schwab betting: Expert picks, odds

As for this week at Colonial, Block has better odds to finish inside the top 40 than Tour winner Kevin Kisner and European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. Block sits at +275 to top 40, while Kisner and Donald are +280.

To win, however, Block is +50000. Meaning if you were to place a $100 wager on Block to claim the trophy come Sunday, you’d win $50,100 ($50,000 plus your original $100).

Not a bad payday.

Colonial should fit Block’s game well. It’s not about distance at the John Bredemus/Perry Maxwell design, it’s about plotting your way around.

And if he can putt as well as he did at Oak Hill — sixth in SG: Putting (+1.545) — he should have a chance come Friday afternoon to make the weekend.

Plus, a top-40 bet on Block feels like the right thing to do after what he gave the golf world last week.

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Club pro Michael Block receives PGA Tour exemption after dazzling fans at 2023 PGA Championship

The Block Party is raging on for at least another week.

If you want a little more Michael Block in your life, fear not, he’s not going back to his club pro day job just yet.

After dazzling fans on the weekend – including an ace during Sunday’s final round – and finishing as the low professional at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, Block is taking his talents to the PGA Tour.

The 46-year-old who teaches at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, received a sponsor exemption into next week’s Charles Schwab Challenge, May 25-28, at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Block shot a 1-over 71 in the final round to finish T-15 at 1 over for the tournament and punch his ticket to next year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Block Party is raging on for at least another week.

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Michael Block got emotional in his post-PGA Championship press conference: ‘I’m living a dream’

What a tournament for Michael Block!

Michael Block’s life has been forever changed thanks to his performance in the 2023 PGA Championship.

Block became the story of the tournament this past weekend after the 46-year-old PGA club pro — and golf instructor! — entered Sunday in eighth place even at par, besting many of the biggest names in the sport. Not only that, Block sunk a sublime hole-in-one in his last round at Oak Hill, sending his home club Arroyo Trabuco into a frenzy.

MORE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Brooks Koepka had a great exchange with Michael Block after the club pro’s fairytale PGA Championship.

When all was said and done, Block finished tied for 15th with a plus-one, an incredible result for one of golf’s best stories in a very long time. In his press conference after his final round, Block got quite teary-eyed and emotional when talking about what this past week has meant to him.

And yes, Block will be back at the PGA Championship next year after automatically qualifying with his run this go around. What a life-changing week for Block!

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