Michael Block, who will be one of the stars at the 2023 PGA Championship in Oak Hill, has another chance to showcase his skills on the PGA Tour. This time, it’s next January.
The 47-year old club pro became a part of PGA Championship lore after he aced 151-yards par-3 15th hole with a 7 iron on Sunday and finished in top 20 earning a $288,000 check for his efforts.
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.
Block won the PGA of Southern California section championship at Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks last week. This earned him a berth at the American Express at La Quinta.
According to an article from our network’s partner, The Palm Springs Desert Sun Block was able to earn the spot by closing strong.
Block, who started the final and third round of the tournament one shot behind the leader, fired a 6-under-66 to finish the round, giving him a total for the three days of 11-under-205. This was four shots more than the runner-up, Steve Saunders, of Temecula Creek Golf Club.
The victory, Block’s fourth title in seven years and second in a row, will earn Block a berth in two non-invitation PGA Tour events, The American Express Open and Farmers Insurance Open, both played in this section.
Block competed in The American Express in January last year and shot a 7 under 65 in the opening round on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course of PGA West. Block missed the La Quinta 54-hole cut.
Block qualified for the 2023 PGA five times, and also played in two U.S. Opens. Opens.
The top 10 players, including ties, from the 54-hole tournament at Sherwood Country Club this year advance to the PGA National Professional Championship. Top 20 players in that event will earn a berth to the PGA Championship next year. This year no desert golfer made the top 10 or tied for first place. Geoff Dean from PGA West, La Quinta, and Nate Williams from Hideaway Golf Club, La Quinta, tied for 14th with 8-over par, just two shots away from a qualifying berth.
Block found lightning again on a trip to Valhalla Golf Club, in Louisville. This was part of his scouting for the tournament next year.
He finished his practice round with seven birdies and one eagle, tying Jose Maria Olazabal’s course record set at the 2000 PGA Championship.
