As of 10:28 a.m
Michael Block celebrates his ace
Quelle: Getty Images via AFP/KEVIN C. COX
Brooks Koepka wins the PGA Championship. But the crowd hero at the second major of the year is a different player. The 46-year-old golf instructor Michael Block provides unbelievable moments. And then speaks special sentences.
Brooks Koepka was the first golfer on the new and controversial LIV tour to win one of the four major tournaments. The 33-year-old US professional prevailed at the 105th PGA Championship in Rochester, New York, with a total of 271 shots against Norwegian Viktor Hovland and American Scottie Scheffler (both 273). With second place, the 26-year-old Scheffler took over the top of the world rankings again.
For Koepka it is already the fifth triumph at a major. In 2017 and 2018 he won the US Open, in 2018 and 2019 he won the title at the PGA Championship. “When I look back at where we were two years ago, I’m so happy at the moment,” said Koepka: “That’s just the coolest thing.” At the time, numerous injuries made him doubt whether he could still compete with the best golfers in the world. Now Koepka was presented with the massive Wanamaker trophy and a $3.15 million prize money check for his win at Oak Hill Country Club.
Brooks Koepka holds the Wanamaker Trophy for the third time
Source: dpa/Seth Little
Last year, Koepka joined other US stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau from the PGA Tour to the competing LIV series. The LIV tour is criticized for the millions invested in Saudi Arabia. “Congratulations, your comeback was impressive. I’m so proud of you,” LIV boss Greg Norman tweeted.
Block checks in with Rory McIlroy five times
But the real star of the $17.5 million tournament on Lake Ontario was a golf instructor from California. Michael Block had already played his way into the hearts of the fans on the first three days. It is a tradition at the PGA Championship that the best teaching professionals in the country are allowed to play. Men who also earn their money with golf. But with lessons, not with tournaments. On Sunday, the 46-year-old came in a sensational 15th place. No golf instructor has done so well at the tournament since 1986.
But that was nothing compared to the golf shot of the year, and that’s what we’re going to commit to in May. On hole 15 of the final round, Block actually hit an ace. On the 138-meter-long par 3, he sunk his ball from the tee – without it even hitting the green once – directly into the hole. A slam dunk.
“No no. Never. Rory, has he gone in?” the stunned Block asked his prominent playing partner, Northern Ireland golf star Rory McIlroy. The cheers could be heard all over the place. “He had to tell me five times that the ball really went in,” Block later said. “It’s a cool experience that Rory tells you that you hit a hole-in-one. And that before God knows how many people who have supported me.”
“Golf is my life. I live it, I breathe it”
After Block had saved the par on the 18th hole, he was finally overcome by emotions. He described his love for the game in detail. “The only thing in the world that makes me cry is golf,” he said. “Of course I love my family and everything else, but golf is my life. I live it, I breathe it.”
Embracing after the last putt: Michael Block and Rory McIlroy
Those: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
That’s why he made sure of one thing in his life: “That I go to a golf course every day. Whether as a player, caddy, service employee, golf instructor or general manager – I went there to be on a golf course.” So, regardless of the result, this Sunday was perfect. Because: “I came to the golf course in Oak Hill today and competed in the PGA Championship.” When he sits in the back garden of his house in California, he always says to his children: “You know that golf built this? That golf fed you up tonight? Golf did that for you.”
And a little more than usual this week. Block, who rates $125 for a golf lesson at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club south of Los Angeles, bagged $288,333 in prize money after four unforgettable days at Oak Hill. Thanks to his placement, the golf instructor has already qualified for next year’s edition. Block was also invited to the clubhouse for the next tournament on the PGA Tour – he can start at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas from Thursday.
After the cancellation of veteran John Daily, the German Stephan Jäger was briefly in the field for the second major of the year. After three strong days on the brutally difficult course, after a weak round of 76 with a total of 287 strokes, the course fell back from tenth to joint 50th place on the final day. Mannheim’s Yannik Paul also made the cut, but couldn’t improve on the weekend. He finished the second major of his career with 293 shots in tied 69th place.
