Michael Block, one of the stars of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, will have another chance to show off his wares on the PGA Tour next January.
The 47-year-old club pro forever became part of PGA Championship lore when he aced the 151-yard par-3 15th hole on Sunday with a 7-iron and finished in the top 20, earning a check of $288,000 for his efforts.
After his triumphant showing, Block made subsequent appearances at the Charles Schwab Challenge and RBC Canadian Open, but missed the cut in both events.
But by winning the PGA of Southern California’s section championship last week at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Block has earned a berth in the American Express, which takes place at La Quinta.
According to a story from our network partner, the Palm Springs Desert Sun, Block closed strong in earning the berth.
Block started the third and final round one shot off the lead, then fired a 6-under 66 in the final round for a three-day total of 11-under 205, four shots better than runner-up Steve Saunders of Temecula Creek Golf Club.
The win, Block’s second consecutive section title and his fourth in seven years, earns Block a berth into the two non-invitational PGA Tour events played in the section, The American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego.
Block played in The American Express last January and shot a 7-under 65 in the first round at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West. Block eventually missed the 54-hole cut in the La Quinta event.
The 2023 PGA marked the fifth time Block had qualified for that event, while also playing in two U.S. Opens.
The top 10 players and ties from this year’s 54-hole event at Sherwood Country Club, advance to the PGA’s National Professional championship. The top 20 players from that event earn a berth into next year’s PGA Championship. No desert golfer finished in the top 10 and ties this year, with Geoff Dean of PGA West in La Quinta and Nate Williams of Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta tying for 14th at 8-over, two shots out of a qualifying berth.
Block also found lightning in a bottle again when he traveled to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville as part of a scouting trip for next year’s tournament.
He carded seven birdies and an eagle during the practice round, finishing his round at 9 under and tying the course record, a mark that was set by Jose Maria Olazabal at the 2000 PGA Championship.
