Michael Block, who became the story of the 2023 PGA Championship in Oak Hill, had largely retreated into a life teaching golf at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Mission Viejo.
Block, who had won the Charles Schwab Challenge, then competed in the RBC Canadian Open and Charles Schwab Challenge, but missed out on the top cut at both events.
The 47-year old club pro, who became a part of PGA Championship lore after he aced 151-yard par-3 hole at Oak Hill with a 7 iron on Sunday, found lightning again on Thursday as he travelled to Valhalla Golf Club Lousiville for a scouting visit for next year’s event.
Block recorded seven birdies and one eagle in the practice round of the PGA Championship on Thursday. He finished his round with 9 under par, tying Jose Maria Olazabal’s course record set at the 2000 PGA Championship.
Michael Block has just tied the course records @ValhallaGolf and a 63 with a 63 today as he took a look at course ahead of 2024 @PGAChampionship.
Here are his three last birdie puts… and we had a chance after the round to catch up with. @WHAS11 pic.twitter.com/4zjC6DmsDB
Kent Spencer (@WHAS11Kent August 17, 2020
Block’s incredible performance at the Upstate New York event in 2023 netted him almost $300,000. He placed in a tie with 15th place, and captivated golf fans across the country.
He revealed that in the past he charged $150 an hour for his lessons.
Block won the par-3 hole No. Block aced the par-3 15th hole by launching a shot straight into the cup without hitting the flagpole. Block’s score was even-par following his up-and down round after the hole-in one.
Block was paired up with Rory McIlroy who is ranked No. The No. 3 player on the Official World Golf Ranking is a four-time winner of majors. McIlroy hugged Block after Block’s shot at 15 as they both smiled. Block was heard on the broadcast, uttering: “That didn’t go in, Did it?” No, no. No way. “No way.”
Block’s finish in the top 20 automatically qualified him for the Valhalla event of 2024.
