‘That hurt a lot': Block’s dream week at Dick’s Open ends with costly triple bogey

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption at the Dick’s Open, Michael Block finished T-9 after a final-round push where he carded seven birdies in his first 17 holes.

It was exactly what he had dreamed of doing, he told reporters at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, New York — about 125 miles from the site of his T-15 finish at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club.

While it may have been a dream week for Block — one where he made his PGA Tour Champions debut and played alongside his idol Darren Clarke during Saturday’s second round — there was still some lingering frustration on how it came to an end.

Block found trouble on the 18th hole when his wedge shot hit a tree and plugged into a nearby bunker.

“All hell breaks loose, I make a triple bogey,” said Block, who finished 13 under (66-70-67) and one shot above Clarke, but five shots out of a playoff.

“Cost me a lot of points, a lot of money, a lot of everything, which is very frustrating,” Block added. “I’m just here trying to make my way possibly onto this tour and that hurt a lot.”

New York state of mind

Block might have been frustrated to end with a ‘7' on his card but his biggest takeaway from the round was that he can compete on this circuit.

“I can win here — my game is pretty good, and I look forward to being out for the next one,” he said. “Honestly, I’m very fortunate to be playing the [Senior] U.S. Open next week in Columbus at Scioto and I can’t wait to get after it.”

Block’s first made cut at a PGA Championship came in his fifth attempt just three years ago — a moment that launched the career club professional into a whole new stratum.

There must be something in the water in upstate New York, right? Or maybe it’s just the gallery.

“The fans are insane — the fans in New York have always been very supportive of me,” Block told reporters Sunday. “Love them to death. I wish I could play in New York every single week, they’re just so cool. Gosh, the fans in New York are just such sports fanatics and I love them for that. It’s been really cool to have them come out here and support me.”

Signs of respect

In addition to gaining confidence through his strong performance on the course, Block noted over the week that he saw the way he was seen and treated by his peers change ever so slightly.

“When I walked through the putting green today and I had seven guys give me knuckles, it was really cool,” he said. “I didn’t have that — I didn’t have that early in the week, you know? So, my idols right now know me, which is really cool.”

One could say it doesn’t get any better.

But it did for Block on Sunday, when Clarke gave him a fist bump on the putting green.

“One of the greatest guys in the world, huge fan of him,” Block said, “and the second I’m walking on the putting green, he comes over to me and gives me knuckles. I’m like, ‘The week’s good, the week is perfect.’”