Another trip around the Block? Club Pro earns PGA spots

The Michael Block party is set to continue. Block, the California club professional who became one of the stories of this year’s PGA Championship is about to step back into the spotlight.

The 47-year-old Block is set to tee it up on the PGA Tour once again after securing his spot in January’s American Express tournament in La Quinta, California.

Michael, who missed the cut at The American Express last January, booked a return trip next year courtesy of his win at the PGA of Southern California’s section championship on Wednesday. Per the Palm Springs Desert Sun, Block entered the final round one shot off the lead before firing a 6-under 66 during the final round which was good enough to seal the win at Temecula Creek Golf Club.

The club professional out of Mission Viejo, California, made headlines at Oak Hill Country Club in May at the 105th playing of the PGA Championship where he put together four astonishing rounds of golf on the way to a remarkable T15 finish.

His memorable showing at the year’s second Major, which included an electrifying hole-in-one during his final round, was the best finish by a club professional in the historic event since Lonnie Nielsen’s T11 finish in 1986.

Michael Block will also feature at Torrey Pines in 2024.

In addition to earning his spot at The American Express in January, Block also secured a place the following week at next year’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines courtesy of his win on Wednesday.

Block’s second consecutive section title will see the 47-year-old feature in both PGA Tour events for the second year running and he will be looking to make his first cut in a regular PGA Tour event since the 2015 Barbasol Championship.

The Club Pro’s stunning showing at the PGA Championship in May earned him starts at last season’s Charles Schwab Challenge and RBC Canadian Open where he was unable to carry on the momentum from his phenomenal week at Oak Hill.

After controversially making headlines during the week of the Charles Schwab Challenge last May, Block came crashing back down to earth with a painful 15-over-par tally through two rounds at Colonial Country Club.

He will certainly be hoping to avoid a repeat of that performance when he next tees it up on the PGA Tour in 2024.