Michael Block has been a club professional since 1998. He has won the 2001 California State Open, the 2014 PGA Professional National Championship, and has three victories at the Southern California PGA Championship (2017, 2018 & 2022). 

However, at the age of 46, Micheal Block came 15th at the PGA Championship 2023. Block has had an amazing 2023. Even with the hate gate over his comments on Rory McIlroy, the club pro has stayed truthful about his skills.

Michael Block praised the PGA Tour golfers

With his amazing career as a club pro, Block has always dreamt of playing in the majors. In the 2023 Masters, he came 15th at 1-over par 281 at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California. He holds the second-best record after Lonnie Nielson, who finished 11th in 1986. 

After his 15th finish, he got the much deserved attention from the public. Block’s ranking improved from 3,580 to 576, which has now dropped to 639. Regardless, that day he took home $288,333 and also the appreciation from everyone. 

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Block recently visited The First Cut podcast and shared why he can’t play on the PGA Tour with other professionals. Block said, “I rolled the rock better than I have ever rolled in my life, I hit short game shots I never hit in my life, I hit my irons great, I hit driver down the fairway, and I struggled to finish 15th.”

Furthermore, he praised the PGA Tour pros and said, “That’s how good these guys on the tour are, that’s 14 guys still beat me, and I brought my A+ game all around. So, that’s why I’m not on the PGA Tour.” 

 He also stated that “I don’t want to be that guy, I don’t want to have my A+ game and still finish 15th. If I have my A+ game against club professionals, I’m going to win.” This is not the first time the club pro has been blatant with his opinions. Do you remember the controversial Rory McIlroy comment? 

Michael Block says he would be ‘one of the best players in the world’

It happened when Block appeared on the Ripper Magoo podcast with Bob Menery. When he was asked by the host about the difference between his game and McIlroy’s, he answered honestly, but the comment was found to be absurd.

Block said, “He’s a lot longer than I am, that’s what it is. I think I’d be one of the best players in the world. Hands down. If I had that stupid length all day. My iron game, wedge game, around the greens and my putting is world-class.” He was thrashed by Rory and the golf fans for the comment. Block later said that he felt his comments were taken out of context and misconstrued. 

However, as he is just a club professional, the 15th finish cannot be diminished, as he had a promising record. He is now exempt from playing at the next year’s PGA Championship. So what do you think about his comment now? Let us know!

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