Michael Block topped this year’s PGA Championship. And there were some questions about whether he was done with the PGA Championships.
As of 2023, Block has been one of the stories in the second major of the year. It’s been his golf – three years ago, the California club pro memorably tied for 15th at the PGA. And he’s been the man beyond golf – some like his showman personality, some don’t. But could this be his last week? PGA? IN Aronimink Golf Club just outside Philly, Block opened with an even-par 70 – then four-over his final nine holes on Friday and he won’t play the weekend. Next month, he also turns 50.
On Friday, however, he said he hopes to return next year.
Maybe even the next five.
“So I have to be honest with you,” Block said Sirius XM’s Jason Sobel. “There’s no way on God’s green Earth this is the last for me. There’s no way.
“I’m definitely going to qualify for another one, if not five more, to be honest. Even though I’m going to be 50, I still have the opportunity because of the PGA of America to go to the national championship (the PGA Professional Championship) and qualify for the top 20 to come here. And of course I’ve got more in me, for sure. And I have no doubt, if I don’t, I do. I’ve got the senior stuff, which is good, but at the same time, I don’t feel like I’m done, like I can’t win one of these.
With that, here are 12 surprising players who missed the cut at this year’s PGA Championship. Players in four or better will play the weekend at the par-70 Aronimink.
Surprising players who missed the PGA Championship cut
12. Michael Block
What shot: 70-75
Surprising because: It’s the PGA Championship – you’d expect Block to make a run. But five bogeys and two double bogeys on Friday were too much to overcome.
11. Garrick Higgo
What shot: 69-76
Surprising because: What could have been if he had shown up on time on Thursday? Did that distract him during the first round? Did the attention that followed during the second round bother him?
10. Sepp Straka
What shot: 73-73
Surprising because: Straka is a two-time member of the European Ryder Cup team. But he played his final four holes Friday in three games.
9. Robert MacIntyre
What shot: 70-75
Surprising because: MacIntyre is also a two-time member of the European Ryder Cup team. But he made six bogeys and a double bogey on Friday.
8. Tyrrell Hatton
What shot: 72-74
Surprising because: Hatton was tied for third at the Masters, and he had three top 25s at majors last year. But he made nine bogeys and one double bogey over his 36 holes.
7. Adam Scott
What shot: 72-76
Surprising because: This is Scott’s 99th straight big start, so you might have thought a run was coming. But he only made one birdie on Friday.
6. Russell Henley
What shot: 72-73
Surprising because: He is the ninth player in the world. But he made 10 bogeys during his two rounds.
5. JJ Spawn
What shot: 70-76
Surprising because: Last year’s US Open winner is the eighth-ranked player in the world. But he played his final 11 holes in five games.
4. Viktor Hovland
What shot: 74-72
Surprising because: When he’s right, Hovland is one of the best players in the world. But he made 13 bogeys in his two rounds.
3. Keegan Bradley
What shot: 74-72
Surprising because: Bradley won the 2018 BMW Championship, which was played in Aronimink. But he made just two birdies in his two rounds.
2. Tommy Fleetwood
What shot: 72-73
Surprising because: He is the sixth player in the world. But he also made just two birdies over his first two days.
1. Bryson DeChambeau
What shot: 76-71
Surprising because: The two-time US Open winner was one of the favorites entering the week. But the first two days ended in a tie for 132nd place.
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