ROCHESTER | He has performed with Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Taylor Pendrith and Hayden Buckley. While navigating the Oak Hill course, he chatted with Jim Nantz on CBS prime time in the United States. He scored a spectacular hole-in-one in the final round. In his fairy tale he lined up three rounds of 70 (H) and finished at 15e rank of the PGA of America championship. Without a doubt, Michael Block said he had the best week of his life.
Unknown when he arrived in Rochester last Monday, the 46-year-old quickly became a crowd favorite as the tournament curtain went up. By adopting it in their own way, New York spectators gave it an unforgettable moment. They chanted his name treating him like a real rock star. Block seduced the world of golf. Not only by his game, but rather by his authenticity and the love of his sport. Every minute of his adventure, the golf gods have spoiled him.
Block would never have thought he would have a little chat with Nantz. No more than he would have thought to live such an experience in Oak Hill, although confident in his abilities. One had to observe his many significant reactions throughout his exploits. He was shot straight to the heart.
The proof: after his last jet at 72 years olde hole, good for a final card of 71 (+1), he hugged McIlroy and returned to the green. He pointed onlookers in a full pivot as he pounded his heart out with chants, shouts and hearty applause. Touching, the scene was worth its weight in gold and turned out to be the most beautiful story of this 105e edition of the championship.
Block is not part of the world’s golf elite. He is the pro of the semi-private club of Arroyo Trabuco, located south of Anaheim in California. All week, he teaches the basics of his sport to customers. It’s his life. It’s not the one to organize tournaments all over the United States. But he knows he is capable of competing with the best.
Getty Images via AFP
In the final round of the PGA Championship of America, Michael Block played with none other than Rory McIlroy, the 2012 and 2014 champion and global star of the golfing world.
Getty Images via AFP
In the third round of the PGA of America Championship, Michael Block was accompanied by Justin Rose, one of his favorite golfers. He said it took him a few holes before he was coy about the Englishman, who was impressed with his game.
His biggest check
His last putt putting a gigantic exclamation mark on his dream week earned him $288,000. It’s his biggest career check. And by far !
“I pocketed $75,000 at the National Club Professional Championship in 2014. Previously, it was a check for $4,500 at the California Open,” recalls the man who collected a total of $38,000 during the 24 PGA TOUR events he has attended in his career.
Lawn and kitchen
At Oak Hill he might have allowed himself to be disturbed by his sudden popularity and puffed up his head. He did not fall into this trap. Why?
“You don’t know my wife,” he jokingly replied when asked by the Register. She can keep anyone’s feet on the ground. She is an Argentine of Italian descent. She has a great character and a lot of personality. She tells me things no one wants to hear. So she keeps me with both feet on the ground.
On such a formidable beast as the East course of Oak Hill, “Blocky” also felt at ease. Without exerting excessive pressure, he took his foot. He told his story with pride and philosophy.
“I am natural. It’s part of the personality of a pro club. You have to manage 600 different personalities. You have a lawyer telling you how to grow weed and an accountant telling you his burger patty isn’t done right, he joked about the daily challenges of his job.
“We have to deal with all of this. Then you can manage everything then, ”added the one who has also applied Ms. Block’s advice for a long time. Either that of remaining natural and true to oneself.
Obligatory pleasure
Throughout his journey, Block savored the moment. He wanted to have fun. Saturday night, after his grueling round in the pouring rain and a series of interviews, he ate at a pub near the course.
“I just want to have fun. Everyone has been great with me. I had a good time. I am a member of the PGA of America who loves his sport more than anything.
“I am completely blown away by this experience in the league, chained the one who rewrote the book of records for pro clubs in the league. I am also surprised by my game. I succeeded and that gives me confidence for the future.
In Texas and Toronto
A top 15 finish gives him access to next year’s PGA Championship in Valhalla, Kentucky next year. Hours after his last performance in Rochester, the PGA Tour invited him to the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas this week. And the management of the Canadian Open invited him to play in Oakdale, Toronto in June, offering him an exemption.
As he retires, Block will remember that week at Oak Hill as one of the best of his career.
“I learned to savor every experience, because life goes by so quickly. It will probably be the most beautiful of my life.
The one where the planet of golf will have discovered a sincere and authentic man. And the one where the lover of his sport will have evolved alongside the greatest in the profession, exceeding 140 of them on arrival.
2023-05-22 22:57:47
#week #Michael #Blocks #life
