Bold Claims
Internet officially turns on Michael Block thanks to this wild quote about Rory McIlroy's length
On the deepest, darkest and most attention-seeking corners of Golf Twitter last week, a few folks were, let's just say, "over" Michael Block. For the most part, it was simply a "you say salt, I say pepper" situation, with people hating on Block's story for the sake of hating. It's one of the most tired social media acts going.
But those haters had to feel a little vindicated on Wednesday when Block, speaking on the RipperMagoo podcast with Bob Menery, made a somewhat preposterous claim regarding Rory McIlroy's distance off the tee, Block having just seen it up close last Sunday. Menery asked Block what's the biggest difference between his game and McIlroy's, and Block's response as set Twitter aflame.
"He's a lot longer than I am, that's what it is," said Block, a factual statement.
"So the length is the big thing?" Menery added.
"Oh my God," Block said. "What I would shoot from where Rory hits it would be stupid. I think I'd be one of the best players in the world.
"Hands down. If I had that stupid length, all day. My iron game, wedge game, around the greens and my putting is world class," he said.
Oh boy. The people don't love this one, Michael.
Look, on one hand, if Block is just basing this quote off his performance last week, he's got a case. With McIlroy's length at Oak Hill, maybe he ties for second or third as opposed to 15th. His iron play, chipping and putting were world class at the PGA, hence why he was able to hang for all four days with consistent scores of 70-70-70-71. Hell, even in the two PGA Tour events he played in this season before last week, he mixed in a first-round 65 at the American Express and only missed the cut by a few shots at Torrey Pines. He knows he's got plenty of game, and added length off the tee would certainly make his game that much better.
BUT (you knew there was going to be a but), to say you'd be "one of the best players in the world" just by adding McIlroy's length is, to be fair, an insane statement, the type that makes you go from humble fairytale story to "OK, this guy is getting a bit cocky now." As many have already pointed out, Block is 5-for-25 on making PGA Tour cuts lifetime. That to one of the best players on the planet if only he had extra distance is a rather large leap, one folks are happy to pounce on.
The beauty of golf? Block has another opportunity to let his clubs do the talking on Thursday when he tees off at 2:28 p.m. ET, and Colonial is the perfect course for a short-hitting club pro like him to do it. I'm sure we'll be revisiting this clip at some point on Thursday or Friday, in a good or bad manner.