Michael Block leads Ally Challenge as polarizing golf star eyes first senior title

Michael Block is one round away from claiming his first PGA Tour Champions title after producing a brilliant bogey-free 65 to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Ally Challenge.

The 50-year-old, playing the event on a sponsor exemption, moved to 13-under par after a spectacular Saturday in Michigan.

Block wasted no time making his move, opening his second round with an eagle-three on the par-5 1st. 

He added birdies at the 5th, 7th, 9th, 13th and 16th before closing with two pars.

Block now leads Steven Alker by two shots, with Alker arriving at the Ally Challenge fresh from winning last week's Rogers Charity Classic in a playoff.

The American's performance continues what is becoming an increasingly impressive season on the senior circuit.

The Ally Challenge is Block's fifth PGA Tour Champions start of 2026, following finishes of 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.

It is also his third consecutive tournament, yet there was little sign of fatigue on Saturday. 

Block has made two eagles and 10 birdies across 36 holes while remaining bogey-free.

However, Block's rise on the Champions Tour comes with considerably more attention than most sponsor exemptions receive.

He became a global golf sensation at the 2023 PGA Championship when, as a PGA club professional, he finished tied for 15th and produced one of the tournament's defining moments by making a hole-in-one while playing alongside Rory McIlroy.

The Cinderella story made Block an instant fan favourite, but his popularity has become more complicated since. 

His outspoken comments, including a claim that he could be one of the world's best players if he possessed McIlroy's driving distance, have drawn accusations of arrogance from some fans and fellow professionals.

He faced further scrutiny last month after being disqualified from the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship following an administrative issue surrounding a mid-round withdrawal, after previously receiving a penalty for arriving late for his tee time.

Now, however, Block has the opportunity to put the controversy to one side.

A victory on Sunday would be the biggest achievement of his golf career to date and another remarkable chapter in the story of one of golf's most unlikely — and divisive — stars.