ROCHESTER — Michael Block had a clear purpose when he showed up in Rochester earlier this week. He wanted to break out of normality every day. The only problem is that the boots didn’t follow the bumps. The California club pro had planned his return home…today!
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Despite wanting to achieve the impossible, he and his team had booked plane tickets back to the west coast for this morning. The golf gods have another adventure in store for him: playing alongside Justin Rose in the third round of the PGA Championship while finding himself in the top 10.
He is only the second PGA club pro in 20 years to finish in the top 20 after 36 holes.
The likeable 46-year-old is in the peloton, battling even with the very best in golf, an elite he nearly dominated at the start of the second round yesterday morning, until those same gods brought him back a little to earth, on the par 3 of the fifth . There he missed a tee shot that landed 58 yards in front of him after hitting a tree to his right and nearly knocking out a spectator – a double bogey put him back to par.
Michael Block is great, as we saw yesterday in his interview with SVP. Nice break to stay within bounds away from the tree. That’s my fear when I’m playing with someone I don’t know, let alone when people are watching. pic.twitter.com/isLirKvwZK
— Paul Werner (@paulwerner89) May 19, 2023
The teacher in him also brought him to his senses to correct the bad side that was accumulating in his tracks.
Close to its roots
Little did the public know when he landed at Oak Hill that, since earlier this week, Block has shared an inspirational story: that you believe in your abilities and deserve your place, regardless of background. He is also the voice of the approximately 30,000 club professionals scattered across the United States.
This isn’t Block’s first appearance at this championship. He is participating for the fifth time. And to be honest: It never looks crazy on such demanding courses. He is the only one of the group of 20 club professionals registered for this tournament who has withstood the axe.
He also has 24 starts on the PGA Tour, surviving four cleavers, including the Farmers Open in 2014.
But the golfer doesn’t direct the events of the professional scene, he knows his roots.
“I’m a local club professional. it’s my job I don’t hit a lot of balls. People think I have the best job in the world. This is true. But I have a club leadership that gives me a lot of support and lets me play,” said the pro at semi-private club Arroyo Trabuco south of Anaheim.
“However, I don’t hit a basket full of balls once a week,” he honestly added. I practiced much earlier. I’m old there and my swing is suffering. On the other hand, I manage to understand it and correct it quite quickly when it isn’t right.”
“I don’t know why this makes me emotional, but it does.”
Michael Block broke down in tears after being told he was out ahead of Masters champion Jon Rahm.
On a difficult course at Oak Hill he scored 70-70 and will do it @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/FbDV0GHEVd
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 19, 2023
With Cantlay and Hossler
His confidence is no stranger to his home friendlies, where he runs with Patrick Cantlay and Beau Hossler. He managed to pull himself out of the game and steal some winnings from them.
“My game isn’t quite up to their level, but it’s not far off. I can keep up without a shadow of a doubt.”
Exactly, Block writes the word “Warum?” (Why?) on his balls, which he highlights on the mounds.
In the past he doubted his abilities. Then, in the midst of a championship title fight, he told himself he deserved the win just as much as his rival.
“Why couldn’t I win it? Why can’t I place the ball three feet from the flag and call the putt? he asked himself. Then I thought: why not? It was my saying. I then wrote it down on my eggs.
In the middle of qualifying for the 2007 US Open, Block had to parry a 22-foot putt to secure his ticket to Oakmont. His younger brother then whispered to him what it was all about.
Before the execution he said to himself: “Why not?”
And he succeeded. He took part in a first Grand Slam at the United States Open.
So why not win this week?
“That would be the ultimate goal,” Block said. I want to compete with these guys. I promise.”
Why not…?
After all, he had to change his travel plans yesterday. He booked his accommodation until tomorrow.
And he doesn’t have to go back to classes until Monday.