Michael Block put together a fairy tale run for the ages at the PGA Championship. The completely unknown club pro finished T15 with a +1 score, taking home $288,233 for his efforts. A win would have earned him $3.15 million and probably a movie deal, thanks to his longshot story.
So, where does Block go from here? First, he’ll compete at this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge. Let’s look at how Block got to this point and what the latest Charles Schwab Challenge odds say about his chances. The best betting sites have markets up for the big event this weekend.
Michael Block’s Amazing Story, PGA Championship Odds
A club pro who spent most of his time teaching lessons at a California course, Block reportedly charged $150/hour for his instruction.
However, he won his way to the PGA Championship via regional qualifying. He was one of 20 such anonymous qualifiers. In nearly every case, these players wind up being the names fans idly scroll by when checking scores. If they even make it that far down the list… these players almost inevitably wind up at the bottom of the scoreboard.
Generally, anonymous qualifiers end the tournament with a missed cut, a good story for the boys back home, and a fond memory of competing on one of golf’s biggest stages.
However, Block bucked convention. Not only did he make the cut, but he also showcased consistently strong play with just one round over par — a +1 on Sunday. Names like Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Jordan Spieth looked up at him on the final leaderboard.
“Michael Block contending throughout the week is completely unprecedented,” said TheLines resident golf analyst John Haslbeur. “It’s one thing to have a great four days in a PGA TOUR event but to do it in a major, in front of massive crowds, and in some of the most difficult conditions we’ve seen in years, it’s almost unfathomable for a club pro to have that type of success.”
Block was such a longshot that even advancing to one off the lead in the second round had him “only” 400-1 in live golf odds.
Not only did Block’s T15 finish qualify him automatically for next year’s PGA Championship, but, he was also awarded a sponsor’s exemption to the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Read John Haslbauer’s full Charles Schwab Challenge preview.
Charles Schwab Challenge Odds – Michael Block Remains A Longshot
Let’s not mince words with the market’s opinion on Michael Block’s chances in the Charles Schwab Challenge: it doesn’t like them. Really doesn’t like them, in fact.
Block has odds to win the Charles Schwab.
Block merely repeating his PGA Championship with a top-20 finish would pay out .
So, bettors looking to keep backing this Cinderella story can achieve quite a payout if Block can prove last week was no fluke. While the odds still paint Block as a massive longshot, Haslbauer said there’s at least some chance Block will wait another week before fading into footnote status.
“It’s going to be hard to get past the major hangover,” he said. “But, Colonial CC is the type of course that levels the playing field for fairways finders with a good short game, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he continues the heater with a made cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge.”
