Michael Block, playing with Rory McIlroy at the 2023 PGA Championship on Sunday, made a hole-in one using a TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC7-iron.
He was invited to play the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas, this week. (He also received invitations to the RBC Canadian Open and Omega European Masters.)
Block was in Texas on Tuesday to discuss his setup. He revealed that he has received a $50,000 bid for the 7 iron he used to hit the hole-in one. Block has received many offers of money, but $50,000 was the most recent. He said that the PGA of America also wants the iron displayed, but he is not sure yet what he will do with it.
It’s still in its bag for this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge 2023. The face is worn down from 10 years’ use.
Here is what he said to GolfWRX on Tuesday:
“I know exactly what they are going to do.” Period. They don’t go further. It’s nothing to do. I’ve tried a bunch of TaylorMade irons. The new MCs. The new MC’s feel great, and they do. But, I’ve always known what to expect from them, and I’ve done it with my old wedges and irons. My putter is over 20 years. You need to be able to predict what will happen when you are under pressure. I have tried putting new things into play, but it has always failed.
“I did it myself (put lead tape on irons). This was maybe about 4 or 5 year ago. It was just starting to feel lighter, and I’m not sure if all the grooves had worn away. They started to feel lighter in my hands. I just do it randomly. Look at my putter or inside my putter. I’m sure it is random. I am a guy who feels things. You can see me swing. You can see my swing. They’ve been great. They’ve been good. I haven’t (I don’t think so).
What he looks for and feels in his irons, wedges and clubs:
“Greg Cesario, from TaylorMade, works with me on all the wedges and the MG.” He grinds down my irons and wedges because I prefer the topline of the irons to be thin, while I also like the soles to have a thinner bounce .”
The welcome he received at Colonial was also amazing.
“This is my very first time at the property and I only get to play one practice round, because I am not playing in tomorrow’s pro-am.” One practice round, and then rock-and-roll. That’s pretty perfect for me. I’m still a dreamer. Annika Sorenstam wanted to meet me. All the pros are congratulating and praising me. The guy who made my omelette even gave me a five. As I was driving away, the guys at entrance began yelling “Block Party”. Even talking about it gives me chills .”
View the full WiTB of Block here and close-up images of his 7-iron “hole-in one” here.
