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Brooks Koepka may have won the PGA Championship, the fifth major of his impressive career, but it was club professional Michael Block who truly stole the show.
He first drew the golfing world’s attention by merely making the cut, the only club professional to do so this year.
Not only that, at one point during the second round, Block was tied for second place after recording birdies in three of his first five holes of the day.
After finishing tied for eighth place after 54 holes, Block was paired with Rory McIlroy and proceeded to hit a hole in one at the 15th hole.
He finished the PGA Championship in a tie for 15th place and earned a sponsor’s exemption for the next tournament on the PGA Tour, the Charles Schwab Challenge.
By the time he was done, Michael Block’s inspiring run at Oak Hill Country Club had captured the attention of even the most casual golf observers.
However, there was one golf fan in particular that stood out among the avalanche of congratulatory messages he received: Michael Jordan.
Block, who wore Air Jordan golf spikes during the PGA Championship, told reporters at the Charles Schwab Challenge, “There’s a lot going on, and I really apologize to all my friends and fans and PGA members out there that have texted me. I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you. I literally scroll and scroll and scroll, and it’s never ending.”
When asked what has been the biggest surprise he’s had since his memorable PGA Championship showing, Block replied, “Getting a text from Michael Jordan today.
“That’s, I’m a big Jordan guy my whole life. I was a little kid in Iowa saving a hundred bucks for a pair of Jordans back in the day. Pretty darn cool, to say the least.”
Block was then asked what Michael Jordan said in his text.
“It was something in the way that what he saw is why he loves the game of golf so much.”
He also revealed that one of his best friends is former MLB star Albert Pujols.
“I was able to watch him,” said Block. “I went to most of all the games while he was a Dodger, which when he was close to me, and then would follow him around as an St. Louis Cardinal too. And to be around him and to see what he did in at a similar age to me and to watch his
professionalism and his willpower and I mean to be around guys like that really really helps.”