Michael Block’s experience at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club was a true ‘Cinderella Story’.
On the final day of The PGA Championship, Block was paired with Rory McIlroy after shooting three rounds of level-par 70.
He then signed for a one-over par round of 71 on the final day to finish in a tie for 15th.
McIlroy ended up seven shots adrift of eventual winner Brooks Koepka.
It was an incredible day for Block, who made a hole-in-one on the 15th hole at Oak Hill during his final round, after ‘slam dunking’ the ball straight into the cup.
Block said he found it hard to read about himself online after the PGA Championship.
However, he’ll seemingly have to get used to it, and fast.
McIlroy and his caddie Harry Diamond were left stunned by Block’s performance. The 48-year-old – a PGA teaching pro – had his 15 minutes of fame in 2023, and now he’s set for another crack at the whip at Quail Hollow this year.
What Michael Block told Rory McIlroy’s caddie at the PGA Championship in 2023
Block has qualified for the 2025 PGA Championship after finishing in a tie for 3rd at the PGA Professional Championship at the Wanamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
The PGA Championship at Quail Hollow is said to favour long hitters, as most major venues do nowadays.
Now, Block certainly doesn’t fit into that category.
However, he does have an unbelievably good short game, and he demonstrated that in spades during the 2023 PGA Championship.
What he told Diamond on the 18th green at Oak Hill on the final day in 2023 proves just how much confidence he has in himself.
McIlroy spoke to Golf.com’s Subpar Podcast in September 2023, and revealed the brilliant exchange between his caddie and Block:
“He was down in the crowd, blind shot, and I’m like, ‘There’s no way this guy is getting this thing up and down, like no way. And he hits this shot that lands in the rough between the bunker and the green and trundles down to 6 feet.
“This just speaks to how confident he is in his short game.
“Harry asks Blockie, ‘Is you short game usually this good?’ And he said, ‘No, it’s usually better.’ How much confidence is that?!”
How much Michael Block earns from teaching
Block is the head pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf club in California.
He charges $150 for a one-hour lesson, but has scaled back his coaching commitments these days.
Block is said to only coach close friends and people he ‘enjoys spending time with’.
Incredibly, the 48-year-old earned just over $288,000 for his 15th place finish at Oak Hill two years ago.
Another top 20 finish at Quail Hollow in two week’s time may be be enough for Block to put his feet up and retire!
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