Block has the words ‘Why not?’ written on his golf balls and that easy-going spirit has shone through his play.
His exploits on the first two days earned him a pairing with 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose in round three on Saturday – a marquee partner he admitted left him starstruck.
“I’ve been watching Rosey for years,” Block said. “At the start I couldn’t look at him because if I did, I would have lost my mind.”
With the crowds cheering Block’s every shot, Rose admitted even he was caught up in the emotion.
“I was along for the ride,” said Rose. “The crowd love [Block] and he was vibing off it.
“He’s a great player – so carefree and a breath of fresh air.”
By finishing joint 15th, Block takes home $288,000 (£231,000) and guarantees himself a place at next year’s championship at Valhalla, Kentucky.
That’s equivalent to 1,920 lessons at the $150 an hour he charges at his club.
For someone who has played this tournament four times without making the cut, it is an outstanding achievement.
“I literally had no idea,” he said. “The money will be fun and great to have for my family but I didn’t do it for that.
“I never thought about what I could make. I just wanted to do it for the crowd.”
He also explained those spectators helped him when in thick rough behind the 18th green.
A failure to get up and down would have cost him that spot at next year’s tournament.
“I did not look at the leaderboard all day,” he said. “I didn’t want to.
“I was in a brutal spot [on the 18th] with no green to work with but if I’d thought about it, I doubt I would have made it.”
As it was, he gouged out a terrific chip to nine feet and then watched his putt topple into the hole after almost stopping on the rim.
“I’m so pleased I can open up a place for another PGA professional to play in this tournament,” he said after learning he would automatically get an invite to 2024’s championship.
And on the raucous scenes at his Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club after his ace?
“I’ve never seen so many in that bar in my life,” he said. “It’s going to be pretty special going back to them.”
He was expecting to fly back to California on Monday but in his post-round news conference, he revealed he would be playing next week’s PGA Tour event.
“I just got a call from Colonial, and I’m in next week as the last sponsor’s exemption, which is really even more mind-boggling now,” he said.
“So I’m readjusting flights to head to Dallas and Fort Worth. I’m looking forward to that, to say the least.”
