ALLENTOWN — Michael Block stormed into the lead Saturday at the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic, firing a second-round 63 at Lehigh Country Club to take a one-stroke advantage over Steven Alker heading into Sunday's final round in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as the 50-year-old chases his first PGA Tour Champions title.
Block announced himself on the world stage when he was paired with Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship in 2023, making a slam-dunk hole-in-one during that round. A divisive character since coming into the public eye, his strong belief in his own ability has divided opinion, but his performances on PGA Tour Champions this year have shown he belongs at the highest level of the senior game.
Speaking to reporters after his 63, Block was asked how his fellow players have treated him since joining the senior circuit. "Yeah. So the support I have from the fellow Champions Tour players is amazing," Block admitted. "The relationships I've gotten in six events, slash seven, is crazy, and I really appreciate those guys. These guys have been living the Tour life, the PGA Tour life and Champions Tour life for, you know, 20, 30 years, and I'm just out here — and they know my scenario. I'm out here as a club pro, and being out here for my seventh event in my life, and they really support me, which is really cool. Trust me, it helps a lot."
That backing has eased the transition for the club pro in just his seventh career event on the circuit. Block will now relish the opportunity Sunday to convert the lead against Alker, a serial PGA Tour Champions winner, and secure a breakthrough victory.