Michael Block was disqualified from the PGA Seniors Championship at Trump International Golf Links Scotland after leaving the course 12 holes into his final round. The 50-year-old American, who finished tied for 15th at the PGA Championship three years ago, cited a wrist injury and disputed reports that he did not tell his playing partners he was withdrawing.
Penalty and Dispute
Block made the cut at five-over through two rounds but shot a six-over third round with seven bogeys, leaving him 11-over by Saturday's end. Golf Channel host Ryan French reported that Block received a two-stroke penalty for being late to his Sunday tee time, which Block acknowledged on social media.
In an Instagram story, Block said: "Yes, I was a couple of seconds late to my tee time today, got caught up taking pictures for volunteers. First time in my career and completely my fault." He also responded to allegations he didn't inform his playing partners: "Yes, I did tell my playing partners that I was withdrawing. I strongly recommend certain social media accounts from reporting false information."
Block's Account
Expanding to Golf Digest, Block explained: "I withdrew mid-round, thanked my playing partners, their caddies, the spectators and the walking scorer, handed the scorecard I was keeping to the other player, asked the scorekeeper to call an official for a ride in."
He said a man in a European Tour jacket gave him a ride, but later learned he was not an official, leading to a DQ instead of a WD. Block added: "Tweaked my already weak left wrist on the 10th hole, hitting out of a bush. Went into the brush again a couple of holes later and didn't want to injure it more. I was completely out of the tournament, and I didn't feel it was smart to keep going at that point."
