Michael Block blows golden chance to claim first PGA Tour Champions title
The 50-year-old American entered the final round of the Ally Challenge with a two-shot lead but could only manage a 74 as Steven Alker stormed to victory for a second week in a row.
Michael Block blew a golden opportunity to claim the first PGA Tour Champions title of his career after surrendering his lead in the final round of the Ally Challenge.
The 50-year-old American began Sunday at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Michigan with a two-shot advantage, but a difficult afternoon saw him fall short.
Block closed with a 2-over 74, making five bogeys and three birdies to finish at 11-under par and in a share of third.
Instead, it was Steven Alker who seized the opportunity once more on the PGA Tour Champions.
Starting the final round in solo second, New Zealand's Alker produced a composed 4-under 68 to finish at 15-under par and secure a commanding three-shot victory.
Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen finished second after a brilliant 8-under 64 took him to 12-under par.
The victory was Alker's 13th on the PGA Tour Champions and his third of the 2026 season, while also marking his second consecutive tournament win on the senior circuit.
Ally Challenge Final Leaderboard
Position | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
1 | Steven Alker | -15 |
2 | Retief Goosen | -12 |
T3 | Stewart Cink | -11 |
T3 | Greg Chalmers | -11 |
T3 | Michael Block | -11 |
6 | Ángel Cabrera | -10 |
T7 | Paul Goydos | -9 |
T7 | Tim O'Neal | -9 |
T7 | John Rollins | -9 |
T7 | Thongchai Jaidee | -9 |
T7 | Padraig Harrington | -9 |
For Block, the result will inevitably leave him wondering what might have been, but it was still the best finish of his Champions career.
He also had some fun on Sunday by the looks of things.
Block only became eligible for the PGA Tour Champions on sponsor invites earlier this season after turning 50 and has now recorded multiple impressive results in his first five starts.
Before the Ally Challenge, he had finished T9 at the Dick's Open, T31 at the U.S. Senior Open, T41 at the Boeing Classic and T5 at the Rogers Charity Classic.
His emergence on the senior circuit has attracted considerably more attention than most players receive, thanks largely to his remarkable rise to fame at the 2023 PGA Championship.
Then a club professional, Block finished T15 at Oak Hill and produced one of the tournament's defining moments when he holed a spectacular shot for an ace while playing alongside Rory McIlroy.
The Cinderella story made Block an instant fan favourite, although his popularity has become more complicated since.
His outspoken personality and comments – including a claim that he could be one of the world's best players if he possessed McIlroy's driving distance – have attracted criticism from some fans and fellow professionals.
He has also faced scrutiny recently after being disqualified from the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship following an administrative issue surrounding a mid-round withdrawal, having previously been penalised for arriving late for his tee time.
At Warwick Hills, however, Block had the chance to answer his critics with a first senior title.
Ultimately, it slipped away.
Still, his third-place finish confirms that Block is capable of competing at the sharp end of the PGA Tour Champions, and first ever podium finish gives him every chance of contending in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, which start in October.
Could we see Block win on the PGA Tour Champions before the end of the season?
On current form, you'd be a brave person to bet against it.
Andy Roberts first joined GolfMagic on a month's work experience back in April 2011.
Andy then assumed the role of GolfMagic Editor in 2015.
