Michael Block shaves USA into head before U.S. Senior Open
Michael Block shaved "USA" into the back of his head on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Scioto Country Club ahead of his U.S. Senior Open debut and the Fourth of July holiday. The PGA Tour Champions rookie timed the patriotic cut with a U.S. men's World Cup match and his first senior major, booking onsite barber Monty before his press conference at the Ohio venue.
Key Takeaways
- Block had "USA" shaved into his head Wednesday afternoon before media duties at Scioto Country Club.
- The haircut marked his first PGA Tour Champions major and coincided with July 4 and a U.S. World Cup knockout match.
- Block made his Champions debut at the DICK'S Open last week, finishing T8 despite a closing triple bogey.
- Barber Monty, who cut Block's hair at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock, was onsite for players this week.
- Block expects the design to last about a week as he competes in the U.S. Senior Open.
Michael Block is back in the spotlight, and this time the headline is literal. Days before teeing off in his debut at golf's premier 50-and-over championship, the Californian club professional walked into the player services area with a fresh idea and walked out with three letters carved into his scalp.
For readers tracking viral sports moments in our Fintech & Crypto Alerts feed, Block's stunt is less about finance and more about how personality-driven stories can spike engagement across news platforms during holiday weeks.
Why did Michael Block shave "USA" into his head?
Block told reporters the decision was spontaneous. He spotted Monty the Barber on Instagram and learned the stylist was onsite at Scioto for the U.S. Senior Open, just as he had been at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock, where Block had also gotten a cut.
Block and his son booked a noon appointment on Wednesday before his press conference. Walking down the 18th fairway, he said the timing felt perfect: a U.S. men's soccer World Cup match that night, the Fourth of July on Saturday, and his first U.S. Senior Open tee time Thursday morning.
"I was like, 'Dude, I've got to get USA shaved in my head somehow,'" Block said, according to PGA Tour coverage. "This is all meant to be. Now I've got a USA shaved on my head. Should be there for about a week."
What is Block's history at U.S. Opens?
Block turned 50 this spring and qualified for his first U.S. Senior Open after making his PGA Tour Champions debut at the DICK'S Open in Endicott, New York. He had already played in two regular U.S. Opens before joining the senior circuit.
His breakout moment remains the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, where he finished T-15, made an ace while paired with Rory McIlroy, and posted the best finish by a club professional at a men's major since 1986. Golfweek notes he is a nine-time Southern California PGA Player of the Year and head professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.
How is Block performing on PGA Tour Champions?
Block entered the U.S. Senior Open with momentum from his Champions debut. He opened with a 66 in the first round at the DICK'S Open, was paired with Darren Clarke and Freddie Jacobson on Saturday, and received a warm welcome from veterans including Retief Goosen.
Sunday brought a setback: a triple bogey on the 18th hole dropped him from contention to a T8 finish. Still, the week confirmed Block belongs on the senior tour and set the stage for his first Champions major.
What happens next at the U.S. Senior Open?
The U.S. Senior Open runs at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, with Block among the field making his senior major debut. Golf Channel reported that Block has long marked his golf ball with a "Why not?" reminder to play with confidence, a philosophy he extended to the haircut.
Whether the "USA" design helps or distracts on the course, Block has again turned a major week into must-watch theater. For a player who built fame as a teaching pro, the senior open stage may be where his showmanship and competitive golf finally share the same spotlight.