Michael Block, who achieved cult hero status at the 2023 PGA Championship, eyes a repeat at Valhalla
7 months, 1 week ago

Michael Block, who achieved cult hero status at the 2023 PGA Championship, eyes a repeat at Valhalla

Associated Press  

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Four blissful, borderline mystical days at Oak Hill last spring opened up the world for Michael Block. It also forced the PGA club pro-turned-cult hero to close his office door at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, the Southern California course where he’s long served as the head professional. The 47-year-old understands the shelf life for the instant celebrity status he gained by tying for 15th at the 2023 PGA Championship — a weekend that included a slam-dunk hole-in-one and an epic up-and-down for par on the 18th hole in front of Rory McIlroy and the rest of the golf world during the final round — doesn’t last particularly long. “That’s exactly how it felt for me minus the $10 million, but just the whole, what just happened right now.” Block opened the door and let the world in while serving as an avatar for the weekend duffer, or at least as close to a weekend duffer as a two-time PGA Professional of the Year can get. It’s a mindset that worked wonders at Oak Hill, back when he was just a longtime club pro and not the guy now known universally in some golf circles as “Blockie,” a guy with a profile now so big that his bearded face adorns one of the massive banners reserved for notable players that have sprouted up across the property.

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History of this topic

Rare Air: Block gets text from Michael Jordan after magical PGA Championship
1 year, 6 months ago

Rare Air: Block gets text from Michael Jordan after magical PGA Championship

The Hindu  

Michael Block, the obscure club professional who stole the show at the PGA Championship, has received countless congratulatory messages since his remarkable achievement but admitted that one soared higher than the rest. “I mean, getting a text from Michael Jordan today, that’s -- I’m a big Jordan guy my whole life,” Block told reporters ahead of this week’s PGA Tour …

Michael Block up 3,003 spots in world golf ranking
1 year, 7 months ago

Michael Block up 3,003 spots in world golf ranking

The Hindu  

What a difference a week makes. After his scintillating performance at the PGA Championship over the weekend, club pro Michael Block climbed from place 3,580 to No. The head pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, Block finished tied for 15th at 1-over 281. It was the best finish for a club professional at the PGA Championship …

Michael Block, once a little-known club pro, ties for 15th at PGA Championship
1 year, 7 months ago

Michael Block, once a little-known club pro, ties for 15th at PGA Championship

Associated Press  

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Michael Block recalled how only a week ago he was having drinks at the Pittsford Pub — a few par-5s away from where the PGA Championship was being held at Oak Hill in suburban Rochester, New York — and no one knew who he was. “We’re going to have a crazy good time tonight, and I look …

Golf Club Pro Makes Wild Hole-In-One During Storybook Week At PGA Championship
1 year, 7 months ago

Golf Club Pro Makes Wild Hole-In-One During Storybook Week At PGA Championship

Huff Post  

Michael Block poses with the crystal bowl he won for being the low club professional at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club on Sunday. “We’re going to have a crazy good time tonight, and I look forward to it,” Block said with a beaming smile on Sunday after he lived out every hacker’s dream. It’s been an epic …

Club pro Michael Block chasing big payday, paired with McIlroy in final round at PGA
1 year, 7 months ago

Club pro Michael Block chasing big payday, paired with McIlroy in final round at PGA

Associated Press  

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Michael Block — golf’s common man who is still holding his own against the world’s top players at the PGA Championship this week — plugged his ears and shook his head, making a point of not wanting to hear how big his payday might be if he finishes among the top 10. “I don’t want to listen,” …

‘One of us': Club pro Michael Block scores one for working man at PGA Championship
1 year, 7 months ago

‘One of us': Club pro Michael Block scores one for working man at PGA Championship

Associated Press  

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Michael Block is supposed to work on Monday, just like nearly every other PGA club professional this time of year. Hitting balls with his “why not” personal mantra stamped on them and getting cheered at every turn by a gallery littered with some of the PGA’s 29,000 other teaching pros, Block fired a second straight even-par 70 …

Available for lessons from $125, 46-year-old club pro Michael Block is making waves at the PGA Championship
1 year, 7 months ago

Available for lessons from $125, 46-year-old club pro Michael Block is making waves at the PGA Championship

CNN  

CNN — As the golfer in the mustard hoodie left the 18th green, camera crews and fans jostled for position. He posed for selfies and signed autographs before making his way to the Oak Hill clubhouse to card a second round score that left him just four shots off the lead at the PGA Championship. “It’s been my last goal …

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