Last week, Michael Block was giving golf lessons, $150 for an 45 minute session, at his golf club in Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California. Oh and Block needs to update the website, because it still says $125 per session.
(It's not like he's busy playing PGA events, give the guy a break)
At 46 years old, Block did something in Rochester, New York this week that Rory, Phil or Koepka couldn't do. Block won, not the tournament, but he won for the little guy.
For the average 9-5 golfer that plays on the weekends, makes a few too many bogeys and drinks a few too many beers, Block is EXACTLY The story we want to see. A regular club pro who is definitely better than your weekend golfer, but normally nowhere near the level of Rory or Tiger.
But on a weekend in May, anything can happen on the PGA Tour, and that's the amazing thing about golf. After making the initial cut, Block got the chance to be paired with Justin Rose on Saturday, and Rory Mcllroy on Sunday.
Block said during the first few rounds with Rose, he refused to look at Rose's face, choosing just to stare at his shoes because "I didn't want the moment to get to big for me."
After shooting his third straight even par round of 70 on Saturday, he was told while talking to reporters that he was paired with Rory on Sunday.
"You're kidding me, right?" said Block, as any of us would. After letting it sink in, all Block had to say was."We are going to have fun, I know that."
Together as one of the featured groups on Sunday, Block and Rory did not disappoint. Michael played the even-keeled golf that allowed him to be tied for 8th place after the third round. And Rory? He birdied everything, and made his way into a tie for 4th place going into the second half of the back nine.
That's when the Cinderella Story found his second glass slipper.
On the 15th hole, with a seven iron in hand and Jim Nantz on the call, Block hit the greatest golf shot of his life.
From 155 yards out, Block dunked a hole in one with such force that he broke the cup and caused a short delay before Mcllroy could play out the hole.
His question to Mcllroy said it all. "Rory, did that actually go in?"
Yes, Michael it did. And it was the first hole in one during PGA Championship play since 2018, and a moment that golf fans will not soon forget.
Block finished the day with two incredible up and downs on holes 17 and 18. With the entire gallery watching on 18, Block finessed a beautiful chip shot over the greenside bunker and finished with a dying pace putt that extracted a roar from the crowd.
With a top 15 finish, Block earns himself an automatic invite to the 2024 PGA Championship. All in one year, Block was named the 2022 PGA Professional of the Year, made his first cut at a Major, and became the first PGA pro since 2006 to finish in the Top 40 at the PGA Championship.
No matter what happens in the future for 46 year old Michael Block, he made memories that he and his family will never forget. He goes home $288,333 richer, and in the words of Michael Block himself:
"I'm living a dream."
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