ROCHESTER | He has performed with Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Taylor Pendrith and Hayden Buckley. While navigating the Oak Hill course, he chatted with Jim Nantz on CBS during prime time in the United States. He had a spectacular hole-in-one in the final round. In his fairy tale, he lined up three rounds of 70 (H) and finished at 15e rank of the PGA of America Championship. Without a doubt, Michael Block said he had the best week of his life.
Unknown when he arrived in Rochester last Monday, the 46-year-old quickly became the darling of the crowd at the tournament’s curtain raiser. By adopting her in their own unique way, New York spectators gave her an unforgettable moment. They chanted his name treating him like a true rockstar Block wowed the world of golf. Not only by his game, but rather by his authenticity and the love of his sport. Every minute of his adventure, the golf gods have spoiled him.
Block would never have believed that he would have a bit of a chat with Nantz. No more than he would have thought to live such an experience in Oak Hill, although confident in his abilities. One had to observe his many significant reactions throughout his exploits. He was touched straight to the heart.
The proof: after his final roll at 72e hole, good for a last card of 71 (+1), he hugged McIlroy and returned to the green. He pointed onlookers in a full pivot tapping his heart to chants, shouts and warm applause. Touching, the scene was worth its weight in gold and turned out to be the most beautiful story of this 105e edition of the championship.
Block is not among the world’s golf elite. He is the pro of the semi-private club of Arroyo Trabuco, located south of Anaheim in California. All week long, he teaches the basics of his sport to clients. It’s his life. It is not that of running tournaments all over the United States. But he knows he is capable of competing with the best.
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In the final round of the PGA Championship of America, Michael Block played with none other than Rory McIlroy, the 2012 and 2014 champion and world star in the world of golf.
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In the third round of the PGA of America Championship, Michael Block was accompanied by Justin Rose, one of his favorite golfers. He said it took him a few holes before he was shy about the Englishman, who was impressed by his game.
His biggest check
His last putt putting a gigantic exclamation mark on his dream week earned him $288,000. This is his biggest career check. And by far!
“I pocketed $75,000 at the National Club Professional Championship in 2014. Previously, it was a check for $4,500 at the California Open,” recalled the man who collected a total of 38,000 $ at the 24 PGA TOUR events he has attended in his career.
Lawn and cooking
In Oak Hill, he could have let himself be disturbed by his sudden popularity and swell his head. He did not fall into this trap. For what?
“You don’t know my wife,” he jokingly replied to the question of the Log. She can keep anyone’s feet on the ground. She’s an Argentine with Italian roots. She has a big character and a lot of personality. She tells me things no one wants to hear. So she keeps me with both feet on the ground.”
On a beast as fearsome as the East course of Oak Hill, “Blocky” also felt at ease. Without applying undue pressure, he took his foot. He told his story with pride and philosophy.
“I am natural. It’s part of the personality of a club pro. You have to manage 600 different personalities. You have a lawyer telling you how to grow grass and an accountant telling you his burger patty isn’t cooked properly, he joked about the daily challenges of his job.
“We have to deal with all of this. So you can then manage anything, ”added the one who has also applied Mrs. Block’s advice for a long time. Either that of remaining natural and true to itself.
Obligatory pleasure
Throughout his adventure, Block savored the moment. He wanted to have fun. Saturday night, after his grueling round in the pouring rain and a slog of interviews, he ate at a pub near the course.
“I just want to have fun. Everyone has been great with me. I had a good time. I am a member of the PGA of America who loves his sport more than anything.
“I am completely blown away by this experience in the championship, chained the one who rewrote the book of club pro records in the championship. I am also surprised by my game. I succeeded and that gives me confidence for the future.
In Texas and Toronto
A top 15 finish gives him access to next year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla, Kentucky next year. Within hours of his final performance in Rochester, the PGA Tour invited him to the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas this week. And the management of the Canadian Open invited him to play in Oakdale, Toronto in June, offering him an exemption.
When it’s time to retire, Block will remember that week in Oak Hill as one of the best of his career.
“I learned to savor every experience, because life goes by so quickly. It will probably be the most beautiful of my life.”
The one where the planet of golf will have discovered a sincere and authentic man. And the one where the lover of his sport will have evolved alongside the greatest in the profession, surpassing 140 of them at the finish line.
