Michael Block heads to the bar before Rory McIlroy showdown at US PGA
Everyone's new favourite golfer Michael Block heads to the local pub before Rory McIlroy pairing in the final round of the US PGA.
PGA club professional Michael Block was spotted down the local pub on Saturday night just moments after finding out he was paired with Rory McIlroy in the final round of the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill on Sunday.
Block, 46, carded a third consecutive round of 70 on Saturday to find himself inside the top 10 on level par heading into the final day of the US PGA.
The reward is now a final-round pairing with McIlroy.
Block's reaction when finding out on Saturday night was priceless!
Block then made a quick trip to the local Pittsford Pub near Oak Hill after his third round.
Michael Block is T8 at the PGA Championship and paired with Rory McIlroy tomorrow.
He’s also at Pittsford Pub tonight near Oak Hill. #ManOfThePeople #TheBlockParty pic.twitter.com/bFoDneJt9I
— John Nucci (@JNucci23) May 21, 2023
McIlroy bumped himself up to 1-under par after a 69 on Saturday but that leaves him five strokes off the pace currently set by Brooks Koepka.
Both McIlroy and Koepka are bidding to win their third US PGA Championship.
Ready to have a day.
@McIlroyRory pic.twitter.com/4lO0Wqi9NM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 21, 2023
But back to club pro Block, who has been the story of the week so far at Oak Hill.
Block has quickly become a fan favourite this week not only as a result of his performance but also how he comes across with the fans and the media.
He has strolled the fairways in a relaxed manner and thrived in taking up the opportunity to speak with the TV broadcaster while striding down the 14th hole on two occasions so far this week.
To just see a club professional living our their dream, and loving every second of it in the process at the age of 46, has represented one of the finest moments of the season for us here at GolfMagic.
He's also been relatable by hitting a brutal shank in the second round!
To give you some idea how incredible Block's performance has been for 54 holes so far this week, he has played in just 25 PGA Tour events down the years and made the cut in four of them.
That has made him just shy of $40,000 in total prize money.
If Block can remain in his current position of tied eighth right now, he would pick up just over $400,000.
Michael Block appreciation post #USPGA pic.twitter.com/a03O2DsbjD
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) May 20, 2023
But he has told the media this week he does not even want to know about the prize money.
At least not yet while he concentrates on putting the finishing touches to his week.
The winner of the US PGA Championship will receive $2.7m.
Take a look at all the PGA prize money
Should Block finish in the top four, he would qualify for the 2024 Masters. If he can finish in a two-way tie for third, he would receive PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership!
What's at stake for Michael Block?
Top 15: 2024 @PGAChampionship
Top 10: 2023 @RBCCanadianOpen
Top 4: 2024 @TheMasters
Two-way T3: PGA TOUR Special Temporary membershippic.twitter.com/Pd9Usq1RF4— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 21, 2023
Block was the club professional at The Lakes in California from 1998 through to 2004.
He then became head professional at Arroyo Trabuco GC in California.
Block competed in the 2007 PGA Tour Qualifying School but failed to progress through the second stage.
Of his past accolades in the sport, the standout has been winning Southern California PGA Player of the Year an impressive nine out of 10 years from 2012 through to 2022.
Given his current performance at the US PGA this week, we are fairly certain he will pick up the prize in 2023, too.
Whatever happens in the final round, Block can be hugely proud of his achievements in the second major of the season.
Hats off to you, Michael.
