It was just past 2pm on May 18 this year in Rochester, New York, when the fourth-from-last pairing began their final round of the US PGA Championship. It was a pairing that contained Rory McIlroy, golf’s biggest superstar in the post-Tiger Woods era, yet the adulation was loudest for someone else on Oak Hill’s 1st tee that afternoon. “That’s the biggest ovation of the championship so far,” said Jim Nantz, as the name of Arroyo Trabuco’s club professional was read out to the type of raucous reception typically reserved for one of New York’s own.
But that was the extent to which the story of Michael Block resonated with the people on the ground and those tuning in around the world. For it was the beginning of the closing chapter of what was a brilliant underdog tale, one which golf still has the power to serve up despite the ever-growing disparity between the ‘elite’ and the rest. I spoke to ‘Blockie’ about that Sunday and more as he capped off what he describes as a “storybook” week on the east coast of America.
IHumble beginnings
To tell Michael’s story, one must first go back in time, because unlike most supremely talented golfers, he didn’t grow up dreaming of a life on tour. Instead, his ultimate goals were humbler, yet no less noble. It’s the first admission of many during our chat
