Paige Spiranac defends Michael Block after his post-PGA Championship comments on Rory McIlroy

Paige Spiranac defends Michael Block after the club pro’s rise to the golfing elite ended this week following his performance in the opening rounds of the PGA’s Charles Schwab Challenge.

Block is currently playing in the Texas-based tournament, days after he tied for 15th at the PGA Championship, though he finished in last place with an 11-over-81 by the end of the first day of the invitational at Fort Worth on Thursday.

Later that day, Spiranac, a 30-year-old influencer who caught the eye of many golf fans for her looks and swing, showed support for Block after the 46-year-old was harshly criticized on social media when he compared his own game. to Rory McIlroy’s.

“Sad with Michael Block after his round today,” she tweeted. “There is so much pressure to perform and no one prepares you for how to deal with public scrutiny.

“One short video clip or headline can twist the story (I know from experience… most recently where he was involved), so give him some slack.”

Block was invited to the Charles Schwab Challenge after his PGA Championship performance

Following his sensational showings at Oak Hills, Block, who earned a sponsored exemption to play in the RBC Canadian Open in June, spoke on the Ripper Magoo Podcast and was asked about his playing partner, a certain four-time majors winner from Northern Ireland , at the PGA Championship.

“He’s a lot taller than me,” Block said. “What I would shoot from where Rory hits it would be stupid. I think I would be one of the best players in the world. No doubt.

‘If I had that stupid height, all day. My iron play, wedge play, around the greens and my putting is world class.’

Block countered any response to his comments about McIlroy on social media, issuing a lengthy address to his followers on Instagram on Thursday.

“Who ever took the fact out of context that I could be the best player in the world or anything if I could hit it as far as Rory I mean the fact is yeah if I got 60 to 70 to 80 meters longer from the tee, yes, of course I could compete on the PGA Tour. I mean come on,” he said.

“I’m not, I’m 46, I’m a club pro. These guys bomb it past me, and it’s cool. I have no problem with it. Will I be the best player in the world or the top 20 in the world? No I am not. At the end of the day, I’m still a club pro.

Block was widely criticized on social media after his recent comments about Rory McIlroy

Block failed to make the cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge after finishing with a score of 15 left

“I’m not going on tour and all that stuff. So, all the haters out there, come on, man. I really mean it? It’s me. I am Michael. I’m having fun.’

Block finally ran out of gas at the Charles Schwab Challenge, where he shot rounds of 81 and 74 at the end of the first two days of the invite, eventually finishing 15 over and missing the cut.

“I have no legs,” Block said Friday. “I was due to leave at 10am last Saturday. So if that gives you any idea how much confidence I had to make it to the PGA Championship.

“Appreciation for everyone is beyond me,” the professional club added. “I appreciate everyone who has shown their support. The people here, the pros here, the members here, the volunteers here and the fans have been amazing.

“I thought I’d just strike a chord with a 40-year-old — what do they call it? Daddy bods. I thought I would strike a chord with the dad bods, which I think I did, but I think I also struck a chord with all the others, which is really, really cool.”