Michael Block, a Southern California PGA skilled, captured the golf world’s hearts on the PGA Championship final Might. From there, the Block Social gathering carried on for months.
The Mission Viejo, Cali., resident traveled everywhere in the world in 2023, taking part in golf, assembly celebrities and turning right into a family title.
Whereas the calendar may need turned to 2024, that does not imply his get together can’t proceed.
On Wednesday, the PGA of America named him the 2023 PGA Skilled of the Yr for the second yr in a row. He earned 1,352.50 factors to seize the title.
“I used to be by no means in my life considering ‘let’s attempt to do that twice,'” Block mentioned within the PGA of America press launch. “I had this as a objective in life to win it one time. I occurred to play effectively in two necessary occasions, the nationwide membership professional and the PGA Championship. I am fortunate sufficient to get it two occasions in a row.”
Block began his storybook yr with a T2 end on the PGA Skilled Championship at Twin Warriors and Santa Ana Golf Membership in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.
He performed his manner onto the Corebridge Monetary PGA Crew and earned his fifth begin at considered one of golf’s majors, the PGA Championship.
That week in Rochester, NY, golf followers had been captivated by his allure. He went 70-70-70-71 to complete as the very best PGA skilled within the area and a T15 end. His demeanor and everyman relatability started to show him right into a people hero.
Nevertheless it was Block’s hole-in-one on the par-3, 151-yard fifteenth gap on Sunday turned him right into a golf superhero.
He and Rory McIlroy had been companions for 2 days, and the Northern Irishman was blown away with his unshakable confidence.
All of us keep in mind when Block mentioned he can be the very best participant on this planet if he had McIlroy’s size off the tee. The 4-time main winner did not let the professional’s phrases hassle him, although.
After his success in Rochester and all the eye he obtained, together with a congratulatory message from Michael Jordan, Block obtained an invite to the Charles Schwab Problem.
He and rap artist DJ Khaled would later pair as much as win a charity golf match.
In September, the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Membership head skilled gained his back-to-back PGA part main. In September, he gained the Southern California Match Play Championship and the Southern California PGA Part Championship.
These two victories earned him the Southern California PGA Participant of the Yr Award for the tenth time in 11 years.
Block nonetheless wasn’t performed although. He went down underneath and performed within the Australian Open. The 47-year-old completed T27 after taking pictures 71-70-69-70, 280 to complete at 5-under.
This award will not be the one time Block can be within the limelight in 2024. His end on the 2023 PGA Championship means he’ll play within the PGA Championship at Valhalla in Might.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. For extra golf protection, make sure to observe us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You can too observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
