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Michael Block Flexed His Short Game Skills To Rory McIlroy Before Sinking Epic Up And Down At PGA Championship

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Michael Block and Rory McIlroy shake hands at the PGA Championship.

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Michael Block was the story of the PGA season, not only making the PGA Championship field, but landing a spot in next year’s lineup with a Top 15 finish.

Block shot well enough over the first three days of that tournament to be paired with Rory McIlroy on the final round. An epic story was made even more legendary thanks to a recent recollection from McIlroy.

The Irishman appeared on GOLF’s Subpar podcast this week, telling a story about his final moment with Block at the 18th.

For those who’ve forgotten, Block was fighting for a chance to make the 2024 PGA Championship on that Sunday round. The club pro bogeyed three times on that final 18, sliding down the leaderboard a bit, though he did hit the shot of the day with an impressive hole-in-one on No. 15.

Equally as impressive was his recovery on No. 18.

After hooking his second shot left of the green, Block was left facing an unfavorable up-and-down to save par. Keep in mind that only par would keep him inside the Top 15, the cutoff to clinch a spot in the next PGA Championship.

And clinch that spot, he would.

Block hit an impressive flop shot while being surrounded by onlookers. He then putt for par to finish the tournament at +1.

This week, his playing partner told a story about that final hole.

Michael Block flexed his short game to Rory McIlroy before that up-and-down play.

While speaking on GOLF’s Subpar podcast, McIlroy said the following:

“His caddie is still trying to get through the crowd or whatever, so Michael comes up on the green, marks his ball and gives it to Harry, my caddie, to clean for him. Harry asks Blockie, ‘Is your short game usually this good?’ And he goes, ‘No, it’s usually better.’ I was like, Oh, my god. But it’s great. How much confidence is that?”

Of course, that might not come as a surprise given his confident post-tournament takes. Block famously said that he’d be one of the best players in the world if had McIlroy’s power off the tee.

While he received some backlash for the comments, his story this PGA season was unmatched. We’ll see Michael Block again next year at Valhalla.