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The 2023 PGA Championship was an example that golf is not a game of luck or is only reserved for top Tour-associated players. Before round 4, on Sunday, when Rory McIlroy himself went to shake hands with 46-year-old club pro Michael Block, it was the most overwhelming moment of the tournament.
Block, who finished the tournament on T15 on the leaderboard, had many moments to cherish throughout his life. From hitting an ace to shaking hands with four-time major champion McIlroy, his life had a total turnaround at the second major of the tournament.
In a video shared by the PGA Tour, Rory McIlroy was seen shaking hands with his playing partner, Michael Block.
The Tour wrote:
"Game recognizes game"
Fans react to Rory McIlroy shaking hands with Michael Block
Brooks Koepka may have won the 2023 PGA Championship, but for Rory McIlroy, it was a competition for redemption. And McIlroy did get his long-lost form back and finished T7. But for Michael Block, it was nothing but sensational. The club pro of the PGA of America got recognition for his unbelievable play at the tournament.
When McIlroy himself went to shake hands with Block before the start of round 4, it was a moment to remember for the golf fans. Fans reacted to their incredible moments with love and appreciation.
Here are some top comments from the PGA Tour's comment section:
"Rory is a class act"
"Michael Block"
"This is the coolest thing ever. Living the dream"
"Got to root for this guy!! #ChasingDreams Our Open used to be like this, let’s hope the rock rolls his way #GolfingGods do your thing!"
"historic"
"Rory comes out and hears the crowd give bigger cheers to Michael Block then they do him on the tee at one.. then he nearly holes out for eagle.. does Rory need to feel like an underdog?"
"Michael Block gets his welcome to the big leagues moment on the 1st hole with Rory"
"The golf gods just told Michael Block “ok sir we have given you 3 amazing days. You get to play with Rory today. Oh but this won’t be easy. Starting with this lie”. Lol."
"UNBELIEVABLE!" - When Michael Block hit an ace at the 2023 PGA Championship
Michael Block has had an inspirational tournament since the start of it. At first, he became the second club pro in the last two decades to make the cut at the PGA Championship. Then he recovered from a shank. And in the end, he hit the only 29th ace since 1983 in the championship.
The PGA Tour shared a video of Block hitting an ace on the 15th hole. He was constantly heard murmuring, 'No way,' until at last he said, "Did it go in? Did it really?' The Tour wrote in its tweet:
"UNBELIEVABLE! MICHAEL BLOCK JUST DUNKED A HOLE-IN-ONE!"
Interestingly, his shot geared up at a height of 97 feet to finally go into the 150-yard hole. Just after hitting this shot, his playing partner, Rory McIlroy, was seen giving him a high-five.
