Michael Block fires message to ‘haters’ after sealing PGA Championship spot

Michael Block is heading back to the PGA Championship once again, and true to form, he had a message ready for anyone doubting him.

The outspoken club professional secured his place at the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink from 14–17 May with a brilliant late surge at the PGA Professional Championship.

After the tournament, Block thanked his fans but then delivered a blunt response to his critics.

“For all you haters, whatever, be haters,” Block said in a clip with a little wave to the camera.

It was a typically unapologetic moment from one of golf’s most talked-about figures — and it came after his best round of the week.

Block, 49, produced a superb final-round 69 at Bandon Dunes to climb 33 places on the leaderboard and finish tied 10th, comfortably inside the top 20 required to qualify.

It means he will compete in his fifth consecutive PGA Championship — an impressive achievement made even more remarkable by the fact he turns 50 in June.

His final round was built on early momentum and resilience. 

Back-to-back birdies on holes three and four set the tone, before another gain at the eighth helped him turn in a bogey-free 33. 

From there, he steadied the ship on a demanding back nine in testing coastal conditions.

After a difficult third-round 78, Block took advantage of calmer winds during his early tee time.

"Yesterday was a bad day, the pins were very difficult and I went out right in the middle of [the wind]," Block said. 

"Today, I knew that the winds would at least be on the low side when I [teed off], the low side here is 10-15 mph, and then I just got after it . . . I knew I had to shoot a couple under."

Final Leaderboard – PGA Professional Championship Qualifiers

Despite the celebrations, it was also a deeply emotional week for Block.

A close friend — who had joined him on a memorable trip to Bandon Dunes shortly before his breakout performance at the 2023 PGA Championship — recently passed away, and the absence was felt throughout the tournament.

"If he was here right now, it would be insane," Block said while fighting tears.

The memory added a poignant layer to what was already a rollercoaster week of expectations, conditions and scoring.

Block admitted he arrived at Bandon Dunes unsure whether he would even make the cut for the PGA Championship.

"To be honest, I didn't think I was going to make the PGA [Championship] this year," Block said. 

"I don't know, I just had a vibe where I thought I was gonna miss it, and now it's actually looking like I'm going to Philly, which is really cool."

That sense of uncertainty only made his final-round surge more significant—and more in keeping with his unpredictable reputation.

In typical Block fashion, his approach to the final round came with its own unique twist.

Fuelled by music — specifically Metallica’s Enter Sandman — he adopted what he described as a “mountain lion” mentality heading into the day.

"I was calling myself the mountain lion today," he said.

"You know what the mountain lion does? It attacks from behind. Never attacks from the front. I'm weird. And so I'm like, what's my mountain lion song? And boom, Metallica, let's go. That's the vibe I needed today."

It proved an inspired mindset as he charged through the field when it mattered most.

Block remains one of the most compelling — and divisive — figures in golf.

His unforgettable run at the 2023 PGA Championship, highlighted by a hole-in-one while playing alongside Rory McIlroy, cemented his status as a fan favourite. 

Yet his outspoken personality continues to split opinion.

This latest performance ensures he will once again be at the centre of attention when the PGA Championship returns.

Even Block himself is realistic about the challenge ahead at Aronimink.

"I might get my ass handed to me," he said, referencing the course’s demanding length and conditions.

But if history has shown anything, it’s that counting him out rarely ends well.