Michael Block pro club flooded with messages, including from Michael Jordan, after showing off at PGA Championship
FORT WORTH, Texas — Michael Block wasn’t the one to lift Sunday’s Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill Country Club, but 46-year-old PGA instructor Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, has won the hearts of those golf fans around the world. country with his inspirational performance at the 2023 PGA Championship. Block finished with a draw in 15th place, beating some of the top-ranked golfers in the world when he won it. his spot in next year’s PGA Championship before receiving sponsor exemptions for both this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge and the RBC Canadian Open in June.
Of course, Block’s inspirational finish at the PGA Championship and his sudden change of destination to the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth created a whirlwind 48 hours since his last shot. It’s at Oak Hill. That includes a sea of text messages from friends and other supporters, Block said he has yet to complete the sorting, although among the congratulatory messages Block says he has received got a message from NBA legend and six-time champion Michael Jordan.
“I mean, got a text from Michael Jordan today, it’s – I’ve been a huge Jordanian my whole life,” Block told members of the media after Tuesday’s practice at Colonial. “Back in the day, I was a kid in Iowa saving $100 for a pair of Jordan shoes. Pretty cool at least.”
Block didn’t share the word-for-word text message, but said Jordan reached out in what was certainly the most unexpected text he’s received after his feat at golf’s second major tournament of the season.
“It’s something in the way that what he sees is why he loves the game of golf so much,” Block said of Jordan’s message.
Jordan wasn’t the only retired professional athlete Block contacted as he prepared to tee off at Hogan’s Alley over the weekend. Block detailed that he has a close friendship and even regularly plays golf with retired MLB star Albert Pujols, who spent most of his career in Southern California playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. and, briefly, the Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring at age 42 following the 2022 MLB season.
Block said the longevity of Pujols’ baseball career was an inspiration to him as Block continued to score low rounds on the golf course well into his 40s.
“I watched almost all the games when [Pujols] as a Dodger, as he is close to me, and will also follow him as a St. Louis,” said Block, and his will.”
Currently, Block is continuing to practice as he prepares for his fourth game in a pro tournament this season. Block played at both The American Express and the Farmer’s Insurance Open before becoming a star at the PGA Championship, but missed opportunities at both stops of that Southern California tour. And during his downtime, there was a lot of other mail that had to be processed to empty his inbox.
“I’m really sorry to all my friends, fans, and PGA members who texted me,” Block said with a grin. “I’m sorry for not getting back to you. I really scroll, scroll and scroll, and it never ends. I can’t even get to the bottom of any of my feeds to see if there’s any. how much [texts] or who is texting me. So it’s crazy.”
