Just back of those at the top of the leaderboard from where most believe the winner will emerge is the lone PGA club pro to make the cut, who will get another once in a lifetime experience during the final round.

46-year-old Michael Block has been the focus of many stories this week having stepped off the teaching tee at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, a public facility in California, to tee it up at Oak Hill.

Block sits at even par for the Championship after a third consecutive round of 70 across the seven-time major venue, a trio of scores which plenty of multiple-time major champions in the field would gladly take off the American.

Block’s week has consisted of everything from becoming emotional in press conferences, hamming it up to cameras, a shank and will now conclude with a Sunday round at a major in the company of four-time major champion Rory McIlroy.

“I'm just having fun. Everyone is so cool and the people are great. We go out to dinner, everyone is so awesome, and the fans have been amazing, you guys have been great, and I'm just having a good time,” Block said Saturday.

Unaware of his pairing with McIlroy for the final round when speaking with the media, Block will hopefully be more comfortable than the early stages of his Saturday grouping with U.S. Open winner Justin Rose.

For the second straight day, Block will have a major champion for company on Sunday at the PGA Championship. This time Rory McIlroy. PHOTO: David Cannon/Getty Images.

“I didn't look at Rosey's face for the first three holes because I'm a big fan of Rosey and I've watched him my whole life, and I knew it could get a little too intimidating,” he said. “The fact that, holy crap, I'm sitting here playing with Justin Rose, and that might get too big for me.

“So, I literally just kind of looked down, looked at his shoes the first couple holes, and got off to a decent start and went on from there.”

That decent start again relied on a putter that has been in Block’s bag for 20 years and kept him in touch with the best players in the world. The Saturday alongside Rose helping to once again remind the PGA of America member that he has the ability to play with golfers he has spent his life watching on TV.

“I love Rosey, but I can compete against these guys, to be honest. I can compete against them. I can hang,” Block said. “I can post a three- or four-under tomorrow, especially if I get the fairways rolling again. It was kind of a bummer because I'm the short knocker out here, and I rely on roll, so I had no roll today, which made it ultra-long.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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“But yeah, being around these guys, what I've learned to do is commit, be confident and play your game.”

Admitting to being a “PGA member that loves the game more than anything”, Block spoke of the memories, and videos, he will take away from this week and into retirement. Although the best may still be to come when teeing it up with Rory and a genuine chance to contend on Sunday.

There are return invitations, and even a Masters invitation for a top-four finish, on the line for Block tomorrow. But the Midwest product believes he can do something more than just record a high finish, and by far the biggest cheque of his playing career, if things go his way.

“I'm just having fun. Everyone is so cool and the people are great ... I'm just having a good time.” – Michael Block.

“I think six-under is leading, I'm even par, I'm six back. They'd have to come back a little bit, but can I shoot three- or four-under? 100 percent, absolutely, especially if the fairways dry out a little bit. That would be a huge thing for me,” Block said when asked if he can win.

Perhaps surprising confidence for man unproven at this level, but when considering Block has “Why Not?” printed on his golf balls it is clear he has belief in his ability. And based off this week it is understandable why.