There is a participant who has attracted as much attention as Brooks Koepka (33, USA), the winner of the PGA Championship (total prize money of $ 17.5 million), the second major tournament of the men’s golf 2023 season, which ended on the 22nd (Korean time). This is Michael Block (USA), a lesson pro.
At the PGA Championship, which ended on the 22nd (Korean time) at the Oak Hill Country Club (par 70) in Rochester, New York, USA, Block recorded a final total of 1 over par 281 and tied for 15th place. For a tour pro, a tie for 15th may not be a very special ranking, but Block is a lesson pro, not a tour pro.
The PGA of America, which hosts the PGA Championship, gives 20 club pros, who make up the majority of its members, a PGA Championship pass every year. Block also received this ticket and participated in this competition.
Block, who had been tied for 8th until the third round, played with Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), the best star on the PGA Tour, in the final four rounds. Block, who learned that the accompanying player was McIlro the day before, said that he couldn’t hide his excitement, saying that it was “impossible.”
The final round was held on the 22nd. Block, who played with McIlroy, made a hole-in-one by teeing off with a 7-iron at the 151-yard 15th hole (par 3).
Block couldn’t believe it and asked McIlroy, “Rory, are you in?” “It was an amazing shot,” he added.
Block lost one stroke even after making a hole-in-one on the day, but tied for 15th and booked to participate in next year’s PGA Championship. The organizers give the 15th place finisher the right to compete in the following year.
“It was the most surreal moment of my life,” said Block, who succeeded in making a hole-in-one in a major tournament. “During the tournament, I was in a dream and enjoyed every moment. There will be no better moment than this, and there will be no hell.”메이저놀이터
Block earns 125 dollars (about 170,000 won) for lessons while giving 45 minutes of private instruction at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California, USA, where he is a head pro. received
He was also invited to participate in the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge next week.