ROCHESTER | Michael Block has multiplied dream experiences since his appearance at the PGA of America Championship. This time he put the icing on a very well filled cake before the start of the finals stretch at Oak Hill.
• Also read: The PGA of America’s Wanamaker Trophy: just behind the Stanley Cup
• Also read: Conners just makes a mistake and Brooks Koepka takes control at the PGA Championship of America
• Also read: Who is this Michael Block in the PGA Championship Top 10?
On the 15th hole, he hit a spectacular par-3 hole-in-one from 151 yards. Without bouncing, the ball fell straight into the back of the cup, crushing the huge crowd that had gathered around the green.
It took a few seconds for the 46-year-old golfer to complete his feat. When his playmate Rory McIlroy congratulated him with a hug, he couldn’t understand why.
“I hadn’t seen the ball very well. I found it odd that Rory hugged me for a shot that would have ended five or ten feet from the flag. I didn’t know until I went towards the green,” Block said humorously after signing his card from 71 (+1).
In addition, this spectacular moment is his first ace in the competition. He used a 7 iron.
“It was completely surreal,” he said, nodding, still amazed by the intensity of the moment.
It was his first goal since Byeong Hun An, who shot an ace at the 11th hole at TPC Harding Park course in the finals of the 2021 PGA Championship of America. However, the 46-year veteran is the club’s first professional since 1996.
Block represents a California golf club. He is the only one of the group of 20 club professionals who prevailed against the ax on Friday evening.
It was party time at his local club in Arroyo Trabuco, just south of Anaheim. Members and customers had joined forces to support their teacher.
It wasn’t his only stunt. After missing the green of the 18th, he managed a cautious approach that was nearly perfect. A few minutes later he stopped his putt.
His performance allowed him to remain in the top 15 in the final standings. With it, he will take part in the next edition of the PGA of America Championship, which will be held in Valhalla next year.