Golf cult hero Michael Block, the 47-year-old membership professional who went viral with a final-round hole-in-one enjoying with Rory McIlroy at this yr’s US PGA Championship, has been locked in for a spot on the Australian Open in Sydney.
He will likely be joined by defending champion Adrian Meronk, who was a controversial omission from this yr’s European Ryder Cup group and used that snub to propel himself to victory in Spain final weekend.
Block got here from the clouds to complete fifteenth at Oak Hill within the PGA forward of main champions likes Jon Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, making the reduce at a significant for the primary time in seven makes an attempt.
He earnt enjoying invites at two extra US PGA Tour occasions and Australian Open officers additionally reached out, with the American all too blissful to make the journey for the event that begins on November 30.
Block, the pinnacle instructing professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Membership in California, will likely be making his first journey to Australia.
“I’m so excited to return Down Below and play the Australian Open,” Block mentioned.
“It has been a really unbelievable yr for me, each on and off the course, and what higher option to end 2024 than to move to Australia, play some golf and see the sights of Sydney.
“I wish to say thanks to Golf Australia and the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia for extending me an invitation and an expertise that I’ll actually relish.”
Block joins Min Woo Lee, Cameron Smith, Adam Scott, Minjee Lee, Hannah Inexperienced, Cameron Davis, Lucas Herbert and Stephanie Kyriacou as confirmed starters for this yr’s Australian Open, which is able to once more be performed as a dual-gender occasion.
Meronk, from Poland, may even return to defend the title he received after a shocking Sunday at Victoria Golf Membership final yr when he held out native hope Adam Scott with a five-shot victory.