Michael Block continues hot play, grabs lead at Ally Challenge

प्रकाशित: 30-08-2026 | 04:43 AM

Updated on 30 Aug 26, 08:45:59 UTC Summary Michael Block fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead at the Ally Challenge, seeking his first PGA Tour Champions victory after another strong finish last week. (Reuters) - Michael Block ripped an eagle on his opening hole and kept the pressure on, finishing 7-under-par 65 to grab a two-stroke lead at the Ally Challenge in Grand Blanc, Mich. Block, perhaps most well ​known for his top-15 finish at the 2023 PGA Championship, is in pursuit of his ‌first win on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, fresh off a top-five showing last week at the Rogers Charity Classic, another high mark in his career. Competing on a sponsor exemption, Block knows that continuing to string together strong finishes ​is doubly important for him. "Top-10 is huge for me," Block said. "If I get a top-10, it ​gets me into the Sanford International in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which has ⁠been a huge goal of mine because if I do get that, it will be my seventh ​start and that would officially put me into the official Charles Schwab Cup money list, which would ​get me into the Playoffs, which would get me then into Norwood Hills and St. Louis, which is where I'm from ... so there's a lot going on." His eagle on the par-5, 563-yard No. 1 provided a splash, but following his ​big round that left him at 13 under, Block was quick to credit the steadying influence of ​his son, Ethan, who serves as his caddie. "Great round, consistent round," Block said. "My son Ethan, who's on the bag, is ‌the ⁠level-headed human out of my family. It's a Godsend that he's on my bag because I'm the least level-headed human being in the world. Glad to have Ethan on the bag, he got me through it." Block's steady play at Warwick Hills was notable, resulting in a bogey-free round. He added birdies on Holes ​5, 7, 9, 13 ​and 16. To secure his ⁠first win, Block will have to hold off a field that includes Rogers-winner and current holder of second-place Steven Alker of New Zealand. Alker shot a 7-under ​65 to match Block, going bogey-free with seven birdies to get to 11 ​under. "It was ⁠nice. I felt comfortable out there," Alker said, acknowledging his momentum. "Just start building, start feeling better with my shots, starting to drive it a little bit better. Everything just feels like it's getting a little bit better." Ireland's ⁠Padraig ​Harrington is three back at 10 under after carding 69. ​He's alone in third place. Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez (69) and Vaughn Taylor (72) are tied for fourth at 9 under. Four more golfers are tided for ​sixth at 8 under: Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (65), Argentina's Angel Cabrera (68), Chad Campbell (68) and Australia's Greg Chalmers (69). --Field Level Media