Michael Block, a club professional living out a golf fairy tale, hit a stunning hole-in-one in the final round of the PGA Championship to cap an incredible weekend at Oak Hill.
The 46-year-old American was one of 20 teaching pros in the field of 156, but not since Steve Schneiter shared 40th in 2005 has there been a top-40 club pro result.
But a slam-dunk ace on 15 brought him back to even par for the round and into 14th overall as his remarkable weekend continued, having struck three-straight rounds of even-par 70 before the final round.
“No way. No way,” he said in disbelief after playing partner Rory McIlroy told him he’d flushed the ace. “Rory, did that go in?”
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“I didn’t even see it dude,” his caddie said as they waited for the hole to be repaired, the lip damaged as the ball flew in.
“I just saw it go up there and go right at it,” Block replied. “But I had no idea. Are you kidding me?”
His caddie laughed and said: “We’re going to cause a delay.”
“I’ll cause that delay any day,” Block responded.
A top-10 finish by Block would be the first by a club pro in the event since 1988, while a top-15 finish would earn him an exemption to compete in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville.
“To say least, I’m living a dream,’’ Block said during a mid-round interview with CBS while playing the 14th hole Saturday. “My life feels like it’s changed a little bit. I’m still on Cloud Nine, just having a good time.’’
The Rochester crowds have embraced the underdog throughout the weekend, and the roar that accompanied his ace was the loudest of the entire tournament.
Block serves as club pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California. He gives lessons – $150 USD an hour – and handles routine duties but also set the course record of 59.
Block is making his seventh major start and has made the cut for the first time at a formidable Oak Hill layout.
He revealed on Saturday that his biggest tournament prizemoney was $75,000 in 2014 at the Club Professional National Championship. Finishing around 15th would pocket him about $300,000 USD or $450k AUD.
But that probably doesn’t compare to the opportunity to play alongside Patrick Cantlay, Justin Rose, and now Rory McIlroy.
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Earlier this weekend, Block spoke about being an everyman against the world’s best.
“I’m one of them 100 per cent,” he said. “I’m just your local club pro. That’s what I do. I don’t hit balls. People think I’ve got the best job in the world. I do have a great job. I have a very supportive club that lets me go play, but the amount of times I hit a bucket of balls is not even once a week.
“I practised a lot when I was young. I’m old now, and my swing is what it is. But the people out there, they understand.”
As a way to motivate himself over putts, Block had the phrase “Why not?” stamped on his golf balls.
Why not make the putt, qualify for the tournament, play really well. So what’s this week’s “Why not?” move?
“To win,” he said. “By far.”