Block Takes One-Stroke Advantage After 63 at Lehigh Valley Classic
Michael Block carded a bogey-free 63 on Saturday to move to 11-under and take a one-shot lead at the Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic. Steven Alker is second at 10-under after a 65, while Richard Green sits third at 9-under. Block will again play in Sunday's final group with Alker, who previously came from behind to overtake him at the Ally Challenge.
Block, a club professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, is competing on a sponsor exemption in only his seventh PGA Tour Champions event. He turned 50 in June and is chasing his first senior title; his prior best circuit finish came at the Ally Challenge, where he also led after 36 holes before Alker rallied.
Alker, third in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, has finished first or second in each of his past three starts. He has been top-five after 12 of his last 14 rounds, including seven straight. Green, meanwhile, posted 67 to sit third.
Block’s everyman club-pro narrative could resonate beyond golf, giving club professionals and amateur players a relatable figure and perhaps encouraging wider interest in PGA Tour Champions events. A Sunday duel with Alker may draw more viewers and local spectators, potentially benefiting the inaugural tournament’s visibility and the Lehigh Valley area’s hospitality businesses. The outcome is unlikely to alter broader social conditions, but it may briefly spotlight pathways into elite golf beyond traditional touring careers.