"That old chesnut" - Tour pro questions Michael Block's injury after DQ in Legends event

English tour pro Eddie Pepperell appeared to question whether Michael Block was really injured when the American walked off the course in Scotland last week.

Block was disqualified from the PGA Seniors Championship on Sunday.

American golf journalist Ryan French, better known online as MondayQInfo, reported that the 50-year-old simply walked off the course after making a bogey on the 12th hole without informing his playing partners.

It was claimed that Block, who had made the turn in 7-over 43 and was also penalised two strokes for turning up late to his tee time, was upset with the playing conditions at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen.

Block later released a statement explaining that he informed his playing partners he was withdrawing and told a tournament official that he had hurt his wrist and didn't want to continue.

He also said it was "absurd" to suggest he was upset with the course conditions.

The club pro, who shot to fame after enjoying an all-time week at the 2023 PGA Championship by not only contending but making a hole-in-one alongside Rory McIlroy in the final round, explained that once he got back to the clubhouse, there was nobody there to inform of his decision.

He "thought nothing of it" but was disqualified from the Staysure Legends Tour event after leaving the course "without completing the necessary process of advising Tour officials of any injury or illness."

Block told Golf Digest's Evin Priest that he was late for his tee time as he was taking photographs with volunteers and withdrew because he didn't want to further damage his left wrist after experiencing a flare-up.

"That old chestnut," Pepperell told the latest edition of The Chipping Forecast.

He added: "You see, I've withdrawn many times. Well, I shouldn't say many, but a handful at least at various points in tournament rounds.

"And I've never once feigned an injury. So I always think I don't care if you want to walk in. I don't judge players actually at all for walking in.

"I know you shouldn't do it, but I don't judge them for doing it.

"When I start to judge them is if they start to feign an injury. Just tell the referee and the tournament director I've had enough.

"Take the fine and show up and pay it and show up next week. That's the right and honourable thing to do.

"And so when a player starts blaming wrists or back, I think no, no, just be honest."

What did Michael Block say?

Block told Golf Digest that he did communicate to his playing partners Paul Street and James Kingston that he was withdrawing injured.

He also thanked the caddies, spectators and walking scorer.

Block added: "Handed the scorecard I was keeping to the other player. Asked the scorekeeper to call an official for a ride in.

"A gentleman with a European Tour jacket arrives a couple of minutes later and I tell him that I'm withdrawing.

"Once I arrive to the clubhouse, I walked into the championship office to thank them for the week, but no one was there, but thought nothing of it, thinking that I had withdrawn correctly, but I guess the gentleman that gave me the ride was not an official so I was DQ'd, rather than a WD.

"To hear these accusations that I just walked off the course and that I was upset about the course conditions is absurd."

What have the Staysure Legends Tour said?

A spokesperson said: "During the final round of the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, Michael Block left the course before completing his round and without completing the necessary process of advising Tour officials of any injury or illness.

"As a result, the official listing has been recorded as 'disqualified' rather than 'retired.'"

Back in action

We won't have to wait too long to see Michael Block tee it up again.

The Block Party is in the field for this week's Boeing Classic on the over-50s PGA Tour Champions.

Major champions Darren Clarke, Ernie Els and Vijay Singh are also in the field at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge in Seattle.