Michael Block is still reeling from a dream week. The 46-year-old club professional defied the odds by becoming the only club-pro qualifier to make the cut in the 2023 PGA Championship.
After firing consecutive rounds of even-par 70 at beastly Oak Hill, Block found himself in the Top 10, and secured a Saturday tee time alongside Justin Rose. In Saturday’s waterlogged third round, Block fired yet another round of 70, pushing him into the top 8 — and officially contending for the Wanamaker Trophy.
Block played Sunday’s final round alongside Rory McIlroy. He made the turn a two over par, before striking gold on the 151-yard par-3 15th hole, when he jarred his tee shot for an incredible ace.
Despite carding a bogey on his following hole, Block parred the 17th and made a clutch up-and-down par on 18 to finish T15 — meaning he’d earned a place in next year’s PGA Championship field at Valhalla.
Block has spent his Cinderella week endearing himself to fans, both onsite and watching from home, and though the support he’s received from his home club, Arroyo Trabuco in Southern California, has made him misty-eyed at times during interviews, it wasn’t until he sat down with CBS’ Amanda Renner for a post-round chat that the weight of what he’d accomplished really appeared to sink in.
Renner showed Block a video of Block’s friends and members at Arroyo Trabuco going nuts when he made his ace, and you could see the tears begin to flow. Then, Renner delivered the real kicker. She shared that the video was filmed by Block’s son, who was celebrating alongside all the people who had gathered to support his dad. Block had to take a moment to regroup before continuing the interview, which picked up in the clip above.
“I’m livin’ a dream,” he said. “I’m making sure that I enjoy this moment. I’ve learned that after my 46 years of life, it’s not gonna get better than this. No way. No chance in hell. So I’m gonna enjoy this. And thank you.”
Luckily for golf fans, we don’t have to wait until next year to watch Block again. He learned after his round that he received a sponsor’s exemption into next week’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial. Not long after that, another invite arrived to the Canadian Open in June. It’s Michael Block’s week, folks. We’re just along for the ride.
