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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — You didn’t think this week at the PGA Championship could get any more unbelievable for Michael Block, did you?
Wrong.
Block’s week got even more amazing Sunday as the 46-year-old club pro from Mission Viejo, Calif., not only jarred a hole-in-one on the 15th hole of the final round, but he finished in a tie for 15th, which earned him an automatic exemption into next year’s PGA at Valhalla.
Before Sunday, the largest paycheck Block had ever won at a golf tournament was $75,000. He earned $309,000 for his 15th-place finish.
Block, the ultimate man of the people, was as much the star of this PGA as tournament winner Brooks Koepka. He stole the show, was treated to a hero’s welcome everywhere he went at Oak Hill.
“I’m living a dream and I’m making sure I enjoy this moment, because it’s not going to get better than this … no way in hell,’’ Block said through tears after his round. “Cheers to the 29,000 PGA pros of the world. This was for you guys.’’
For Block, the only one of the 20 club pros in the 156-player field to make the cut, the week had already been magical, but Sunday’s goings-on were positively mind-boggling.
It was marvelously fitting that, on his ace, Block stood on the tee after his shot in utter disbelief when he realized the ball went into the hole on the fly.
“Did that go in?’’ Block asked his playing partner, Rory McIlroy, who gave him a hug with a pat on the stomach. “No. No. No way. Are you kidding me?’’
He said he “couldn’t really see’’ the ball go in, adding, “I heard the crowd and was like, ‘OK, cool, it must be close.’ Then I was like, ‘Why is Rory giving me a hug for hitting to 10 feet?’ It was kind of weird, but I was cool with it.’’
Block had an “are-you-kidding-me’’ week since the moment the tournament began, entering Sunday’s final round having shot three consecutive even-par rounds.
Block said after his first round that he believed he could shoot four even-par rounds and that would have him in good position. He damned near did that. He shot 70-70-70 and 71 to finish 1-over.
No club pro has ever finished in the top-10 in the storied 105-year history of the PGA Championship, and Block nearly did that.
He, too, flirted with some other incredible prizes. A top-four finish would have qualified him for next year’s Masters. A two-way tie for third or better would have earned him temporary playing status on the PGA Tour.
The ace — made with a 7-iron and the first he’s ever had in a tournament — moved Block from 2-over to even par and in a tie for 14th at the time.
He arrived to the 18th hole in a tie for 15th and needed a par to preserve that spot and his 2024 PGA invite. His second shot ended up in the rough to the right of the green. He hit a beautiful chip to about 10 feet and made the putt for his par save.
And, when his putt barely trickled into the hole, the crowd went ballistic and Block doubled over with emotion. McIlroy smiled and hugged him, as did McIlroy’s caddie, Harry Diamond.
Block’s mantra is “Why Not?’’ which he has stamped on his golf balls.
So, sure, why not?
Block already was as much the star of this week and then came the ace on No. 15, the 29th hole-in-one in a PGA since 1983.
Scottie Scheffler was getting ready to hit his second shot on the 14th hole when Block’s ace occurred, igniting — by far — the loudest roars this tournament produced all week. When an on-course TV reporter told Scheffler what had taken place, Scheffler smiled and said, “This is crazy.’’
When he arrived to the green and plucked the ball out of the hole, Block showed it to the fans surrounding the green, who were in an absolute frenzy. As he walked off the green, he did a 360 pointing to the fans and patting his heart.
What a week.
What a story.
Unbelievable.
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