By Rahul Banerji
Three successive cards of level par 70, frost and rain have all contrived to weave an unlikely fairytale at the ongoing PGA Championship for Michael Block.
Former champion Brooks Koepka on 6 under par 204 leads the field after 54 holes by a shot from Viktor Hovland of Norway and Canada’s Corey Connors with Block in tied eighth on level par 210.
Head teaching professional at a California course, the 46-year-old is at Oak Hill as the reigning PGA professional player of the year and one of 20 PGA teaching members are invited to the year’s second major.
After three rounds at Rochester, Block is six shots behind Koepka and just shy of Sunday playing partner Rory McIlroy, and is making the most of his moment in the sun.
“Are you serious? That should be fun, we’re going to have a good time,” the disbelieving coach said when told he would be playing Sunday’s round alongside the world number three.
“I doubt if anybody on this entire property loves golf as much as I love golf,” Block was later quoted as saying.
“I’ve learned at this point to enjoy the moment, to sit back and relax and enjoy it because it goes by fast, and life goes by fast.
Best week ever
“Before you know it, you’re 60 years old and retired and look back at the videos on this and remember that was the best week of my life and more than likely this is probably going to be the best week of my life.
“So I’m going to sit back as much as I can with my friends and family at the house we rented and watch the videos tonight and see all my new followers on Instagram.
“I’m sitting here right now absolutely blown away by this experience, but at the same time I’m blown away by how my game has actually shown up. The game that I’ve always had.
“It’s been really cool, and my biggest thing is just enjoying the moment for sure,” said the head pro at Arroyo Traubuco Golf Club, who has the most birdies in the field (13) behind his playing partner on Saturday, England’s Justin Rose (14).
New territory
Block has been to the majors six times in the past, so he’s not exactly new to the experience but has never made the cut.
In fact he had booked a flight back home not expecting to be in the weekend rounds Instead, he now stands to become the best-finishing teaching pro ever at the event.
Very rarely do journeymen pros reach a position to be in title contention at the top level or even make the cut at the majors.
“Don’t make me cry.,” Block said when told of his progress into the money rounds.
“No seriously, it was my last little goal that I had for my career. And to make it happen is really cool. And for all the support I have, it’s fantastic. And for the 29,000 PGA pros out there, thank you.”
So here’s this everyday club coach – admittedly one who has also played in 24 PGA Tour events and topped a national tournament for teaching professionals last year – who celebrated making the cut with an Indian Pale Ale and lunch.
Michael Block’s story makes you believe that fairytales can sometimes come to life, doesn’t it?
Also read: DeChambeau leads PGA C’ship after frost-delayed first round
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