In the Spotlight Once Again: Michael Block Returns to the PGA Championship

Louisville, KY – May 2023

A year after his improbable and inspiring run at the PGA Championship, Michael Block is back at Valhalla Golf Club, the site of his breakout performance. The 47-year-old club pro captivated golf fans in 2022 with his remarkable showing at Oak Hill, where he made the cut and entered the final round just six strokes off the lead.

Though Block’s title quest ultimately fell short, his aw-shucks humility and feel-good story endeared him to golf enthusiasts nationwide. Some questioned whether his 15 minutes of fame would end abruptly, but his newfound celebrity has now stretched to 13 months and shows no signs of slowing down.

“I know the course well,” he said. “It fits my eye off the tee, the greens are ones I can read, and I love the grass around the greens for chipping. When you combine all those factors, I can do something special.”

This bold proclamation from the public-course club pro, who failed to make the cut in seven major appearances before last year’s PGA Championship, could be exactly the “spice” the 2023 golf season needs. With the paint-by-numbers precision of Scottie Scheffler dominating the landscape, Block’s everyman appeal and self-deprecating humor offer a refreshing counterpoint.

As he prepares for this week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla, where he captivated the crowd with a hole-in-one during last year’s event, Block remains grateful for the opportunities golf has presented. “It’s been a lifetime dream,” he said, reflecting on the surreal experiences of the past year, from lunching with DJ Khaled to FaceTiming with Mark Wahlberg.

Some may question the sincerity of Block’s humility, but those close to him insist his down-to-earth persona is genuine. Regardless of how he fares this week, the golf world eagerly awaits to see if the PGA Professional’s feel-good story has another chapter in store.

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