Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Richard Green is only two shots behind leader Michael Block after the second round of the inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
American Block needed only 30 shots on the back nine as he posted a bogey-free seven-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).
The 50-year-old PGA Tour Champions rookie is 11 under, one ahead of New Zealander Steven Alker and two in front of Australia’s Green, the first-round co-leader.
Green, who opened with a six-under 64, followed up with a three-under 67 that included five birdies and two bogeys.
Block, who continues to serve as the head golf professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California, gained a following with a tie for 15th place at the 2023 PGA Championship.
He followed his first-round four-under 66 by opening with back-to-back birdies on Saturday, then parred the last seven holes on the front nine, before birdies on five of the first seven holes coming in.
Block is highly appreciative of the welcome he has received on the Champions Tour.
“The support I have from the fellow Champions Tour players is amazing,” Block said.
“I’m out here as a club pro, and being out here for my seventh event in my life, and they really support me, which is really cool. Trust me, it helps a lot.”
In contrast to Block, who is happy just to be on the verge of qualifying for the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs, Alker has won three times in 2026, owns 13 PGA Tour Champions titles and ranks No.3 on the Schwab Cup money list.
The 55-year-old has posted matching 65s and, like Block, played bogey-free golf on Saturday. He shot 31 on the inward half and played the par-3s in two under.
Alker is well aware the gallery will be flocking to Block on Sunday.
“He’s got a great following and I think the crowds will be good tomorrow and want him to do well,” Alker said.
“He’s a bit different, he likes to talk about things. It’s fun. He’s got game, I’ve got to bring it tomorrow.”
American Ryan Armour fired a 64 to move into fourth at eight-under. Compatriot Tag Ridings (65), South Korea’s Y.E. Yang (69) and Sweden’s Robert Karlsson (69) share fifth at seven under. Yang and Karlsson joined Green atop the leaderboard after the first round.
– with AAP
