Golf
2023 PGA Championship: What does RAW stand for on Michael Block’s hat?
How Michael Block became the talk of the town at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill
The final day of the 105th PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club is here, and one name is turning heads in New York: Michael Block.
Despite Brooks Koepka leading a group of stellar contenders, including Viktor Hovland, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose, and Rory McIlroy, with one shot, Block’s play and attire are catching everyone’s attention.
The 46-year-old entered the tournament’s final day in a tie for eighth place. He has been Southern California PGA Player of the Year nine times in the last ten years. He is also the PGA Head Professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California, where he offers 45-minute golf lessons for $125.
Despite appearing in 24 PGA Tour events over his career, Block has made the cut in just four of those events. However, Block’s sensational play at Oak Hill caused a stir. He shot an even par in each of the first three rounds, which left him just six strokes off the lead.
On Sunday, he will join Rory McIlroy in the final round.
Block’s ‘RAW’ hat at the PGA Championship
The American’s white cap with the word ‘RAW’ also grabbed everyone’s attention at Oak Hill.
After many question marks about what RAW stood for, we learned that the hat from Taylor Made reads: ‘Styled onto a low-crown performance snapback, the RAW embroidering is a shout out to the Raw Face Technology that powers Milled Grind 2 wedges.
“I understand how my game doesn’t quite get up to them, but I’m pretty darn close, and I can compete with them,” Block said post-playing. “I’ve been gaining that confidence from those finishes in those rounds where I’m like, why not? Why not come here and compete? Why not here at Oak Hill, make the cut?´” I’m not afraid of them anymore, to be honest.¨