Michael Block set to make PGA TOUR Champions debut at DICK’S Open

A short drive from the most memorable week of his career, Michael Block is ready to begin a new chapter.

Block first gained recognition on the national stage with his standout performance at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York, during the 2023 PGA Championship, where he competed as a PGA Professional. His T15 finish was highlighted by making a hole-in-one during the final round – the only ace of the tournament – while playing alongside Rory McIlroy, no less.

His result was the best finish by a PGA of America professional since 1986, and it was good enough to earn him a spot in the PGA Championship the following year. This week, he’ll look to make more memories in upstate New York, as Block makes his PGA TOUR Champions debut at En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott, New York, for the DICK’S Open.

Block turned 50 on June 15, making this the first event for which he is eligible on the over-50 circuit. He will tee it up in the 54-hole event beginning Friday on an unrestricted sponsor’s exemption.

“The weird part about it is that I’m actually a little more nervous playing on this Tour even than I am in just the PGA Championship a month ago, because I never grew up idolizing the guys out on the regular TOUR. I grew up idolizing these guys,” Block told reporters. “I can’t wait to see my pairings the next couple days. It changes every day, so I’m going to be with a couple guys that I’ve grown up watching golf my whole life. This is a lot of fun.”

A nine-time Southern California PGA Player of the Year, Block is the head professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California. His career includes wins at the 2001 California State Open, the 2014 PGA Professional Championship and five Southern California PGA Championships.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Block to the 2026 DICK’S Open,” said tournament director John Karedes. “We all remember the week he had in Rochester, delivering one of the most unlikely stories in sports that year. That underdog mentality resonated with fans around the world, but especially throughout the state of New York, which claimed him as one of its own.”

Block has played in 10 major championships, including the PGA Championship each of the last five years. He is already relishing some of the benefits of playing on PGA TOUR Champions – specifically, riding in a cart during his pre-tournament prep to conserve some energy – but remains eager to make his Champions debut less than two hours from Oak Hill, where many fans learned his name for the first time.

“I’m a club pro who had a great event and I’ve kind of lived off that for the last couple years,” Block said. “Obviously it’s been tough out there trying to compete against the kids on the regular TOUR. I’m super excited to come out here, where I am no longer the short guy, I am no longer the old guy.”