World stars squared off for victory in the PGA Championship.
But instructor Michael Block, 46, stole the headlines – with an incredible hole in one.
– Life doesn’t get better than this, not a chance, he says after the smash hit.
The second major of the year, the PGA Championship, was decided this weekend at the historic and difficult Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, USA.
A track that caused enormous problems for a lot of big cutters. For example, world number one John Rahm finished tied for 51st place, seven strokes over par.
But while other world stars – specifically Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler – were fighting for victory, it was a 46-year-old giant doll named Michael Block who stole the headlines and won the people’s love.
Selling lessons
Block is not even a professional tour player, but a PGA-affiliated coach who received a special invitation to the major.
On weekdays, the 46-year-old works as an instructor at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo just outside California and sells lessons for SEK 1,500 an hour.
Now his life is about to change completely.
Not only did he go the first three rounds on par and become the biggest crowd favorite of the entire competition, during Sunday’s fourth and final round he did something that shocked everyone.
On the 15th hole, he hit the ball straight down the hole on a par-three.
– This is absolutely insane. Very crazy, said Viaplay’s commentator, also former professional player Per-Ulrik Johansson, in amazement.
Rory asked
Michael Block played alongside Rory McIlroy himself during Sunday’s final round – only it was so big he could hardly believe it was real – and shortly after the ball left the club, Block turned to the Northern Irish megastar and asked:
– Where did it go?
When Rory informed Block that he had just scored a hole in one – on the very biggest stage, in front of tens of millions of television viewers – the 46-year-old couldn’t believe his eyes.
– Not a chance! Not a chance!
But then.
The ball was still in the cup when Block walked onto the green.
In tears afterwards
Michael Block finished tied for 15th place in the tournament, receives the equivalent of SEK 3 million in prize money and is guaranteed a place in next year’s PGA Championship.
Afterwards came the tears of joy.
– I’m living my dream. I make sure to enjoy this moment. After 46 years, I know life doesn’t get any better than this. Not a chance, he says.
After a raging drama, it was finally the American superstar Brooks Koepka, now on the controversial LIV tour, who won the competition, two strokes ahead of compatriot Scottie Scheffler and Norwegian Viktor Hovland, who shared second place.
It was Koepka’s fifth major title in his career and he is rewarded with a check for the equivalent of SEK 30 million.
Koepka was also in tears afterwards – clearly moved and relieved after avenging the debacle at The Masters a month ago when he led heading into the final lap but folded.
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