Michael Block ties PGA Championship course record

The Block Party is back!

Just as club pro and PGA Championship hero Michael Block went quiet, the 47-year-old has found his way back into the spotlight.

You might be glad to hear he isn’t flogging any more of his clubs or comparing his game with Rory McIlroy’s, but it’s hard to discredit his most recent achievement.

The American, who teaches out of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California, has tied the course record at Valhalla Golf Club, the host of the 2024 PGA Championship.

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Block was invited for a practice round at the Kentucky venue and took full advantage as he caught a glimpse of what is in store for when he returns next year.

As posted on his Instagram story, Block showed his nine-under-par 63 scorecard from the Jack Nicklaus-designed course.

The bogey-free round over the 7,765-yard layout included seven birdies and one eagle, to draw his name alongside a Masters champion.

Jose Maria Olazabal first carded the elusive round during the third round of the 2000 PGA Championship.

Despite doing it in a major championship, though, the former Ryder Cup venue measured just 7,165 yards that week – 600 shorter than Block’s effort from the back tees.

It turns out Block doesn’t need Rory’s length of the tee after all, as he tamed the monster layout on Thursday.

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Three birdies and an eagle on the front nine saw Block out in 31 before another four birdies followed on the back nine for a 32.

Block became an internet sensation after slam dunking an ace en route to a historic T15 finish at the 2023 PGA Championship.

It earned the Nevada-born golfer a crack at next year’s championship, hence why the PGA of America shipped Blockie an invite to get an early practice round under his belt.

After the round, he told WHAS11 News: “I just shot 63 on a major championship venue, I’ll take that.

“For a club pro or whoever I am, finishing 15th in a major a couple of months ago, taking that and putting it in the bank is huge for my confidence level.”

🚨Michael Block tied the course record yesterday at Valhalla Golf Club, as he prepares for the 2024 PGA Championship.

He fired a -9, 63 including 7 birdies and an eagle 🤯pic.twitter.com/a3Z21VCtAR

— HowDidiDo (@HowDidiDo) August 18, 2023

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.