Michael Block wraps magical week at PGA with hole-in-one

Field Level Media
22 May 2023, 03:10 GMT+10

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Michael Block, the club professional who made the cut at the PGA Championship and won over the hearts of the common man, added an exclamation point to his remarkable week at Oak Hill Country Club by dunking a hole-in-one at the par-3 15th hole.

The downhill hole was playing 151 yards on Sunday, and Block's tee shot landed directly in the hole without a bounce. His ball caused some damage to the side of the cup as it flew in.

Block couldn't believe it, though his playing partner -- none other than Rory McIlroy, four-time major winner from Northern Ireland -- was the first to congratulate him with a high-five and pats on the chest, the stuff of dreams for casual golfers.

Block, 46, earned a reputation as "The People's Champ" this week. Not only was the head pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, Calif., the only club professional out of 20 to make the cut, he fired three straight rounds of even-par 70 in conditions that hindered some of the world's elite golfers.

Block also did "walk-and-talk" interviews during his rounds on Thursday with ESPN and Saturday with CBS, showcasing a winning attitude combined with a "Why not me?" mentality.

If Block finishes inside the top 15, he will be exempt into next year's PGA Championship, though that's not all that's at stake. A top-10 finish would qualify him for next week's Charles Schwab Challenge and next month's RBC Canadian Open. A top-four would get him into the 2024 Masters.

Block entered the day tied for eighth, six shots off the pace of leader Brooks Koepka. He had two bogeys and no birdies on his card when he stepped to the 15th.

--By Adam Zielonka, Field Level Media

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