After becoming the biggest story of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, Michael Block had largely retreated to a life of teaching the game at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.
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 the 47-year-old club pro — who forever became part of PGA Championship lore when he aced the 151-yard par-3 15th hole at Oak Hill on Sunday with a 7-iron — found lightning in a bottle again on Thursday when he traveled to Valhalla Golf Club in Lousiville as part of a scouting trip for next year’s tournament.
Block carded seven birdies and an eagle during the practice round on Thursday, 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.
Michael Block just tied the course record @ValhallaGolf with a 63 this afternoon as he got a look at the course ahead of the 2024 @PGAChampionship.
Here are his last three birdie putts… and we got a chance to catch up with him after the round. @WHAS11 pic.twitter.com/4zjC6DmsDB
— Kent Spencer (@WHAS11Kent) August 17, 2023
Block’s wild ride at the 2023 event in Upstate New York netted him nearly $300,000 as he placed him in a tie for 15th, captivating golf fans around the country in the process.
He also revealed that he had previously charged his students $150 per hour during his lessons.
During the final round, Block aced the par-3 No. 15 hole with a shot that he dunked straight into the cup, without even hitting the flagpole. The hole-in-one brought Block’s score to even-par after his up-and-down round.
Block was paired with Rory McIlroy, the No. 3 player in the Official World Golf Ranking and four-time major winner. After Block sunk his shot at 15, McIlroy went over and gave him a hug as both players smiled. Block, seemingly in disbelief, was caught on the broadcast saying: “That didn’t go in, did it? No, no. No way. No way.”
With his finish in the top 20, Block automatically earned a berth into the 2024 event at Valhalla.