PITTSFORD, N.Y. — As if Southern California club pro Michael Block hasn’t done enough to electrify the crowds at the PGA Championship this week. He now has a hole-in-one to add to his electrifying run at Oak Hill.
The 46-year-old did it on the par-3, 151-yard 15th when his high-arcing shot went directly into the hole. The force of the ball going in actually bent away the grass at the front lip of the hole.
Block celebrated by doffing his black cap and high-fiving with playing partner, Rory McIlroy. Smiling as he walked toward the green, Block stopped before the hole, looked down and initially fumbled getting the ball out before plucking it out on his second try and holding it up for the cheering crowd.
The ace brought Block back to even-par for the round and tournament. He had opened the final round bogeying Nos. 1 and 7.
Just as important, Block moved into a tie for 14th place. The top 15 players, plus ties, earn an automatic invite into next year’s PGA Championship.
Block is competing in his seventh major, and first in which he’s made the 36-hole cut after shooting even-par 70s on each of the first three days.