Michael Block Leads PGA Championship Qualifying With Superb Opening 64
Michael Block, the club professional who made headlines with his T15 finish at the 2023 PGA Championship, has started strong in his quest to qualify for this year's Major. Playing in the PGA Professional Championship at PGA Golf Club in Florida, Block shot an impressive opening round of 64 (-7) to take the early lead.
The tournament features 312 PGA of America club professionals competing for 20 spots in next month's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Block's opening round included eight birdies and just one bogey, putting him one shot ahead of Jesse Meuller, Tommi Avant, and Peter Ballo.
Golfer swinging club on course
Block, the head professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California, gained widespread recognition at the 2023 PGA Championship where he:
- Finished T15, ahead of several top-ranked players
- Made a memorable hole-in-one while paired with Rory McIlroy
- Earned low PGA Professional honors
- Secured automatic qualification for the 2024 tournament
Businessmen handshake against glass building
The winner of the PGA Professional Championship also receives exemptions into six PGA Tour events over the next 12 months. The 72-hole strokeplay tournament concludes on April 30th, with Block well-positioned to potentially make his fourth consecutive PGA Championship appearance and seventh overall.
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Block's strong start suggests he could be on track to add another chapter to his remarkable story in professional golf, following his inspiring performance at Oak Hill in 2023.