ELMSFORD, N.Y. (June 27, 2014) - Myrtle Beach saw several of our Met Area pros for the 47th PGA Professional National Championship this week.  Michael Block snagged the title with a clinching birdie putt on the second extra hole in an intense playoff against Jamie Broce. Not only was this Block’s first victory at the PNC, but it was also his first attempt at the National Championship, putting him alongside Matt Dobyns who achieved the same accomplishment in 2012.

Winning a national championship title isn’t the only accolade accompanying the Professional National Championship. The Champion, along with the players with the Top 20 scores, qualifies for the PGA Championship.

Frank Esposito and Jim McGovern finished in the top 20 to qualify for the PGA Championship at Valhalla. Fresh out of some great victories thus far in the 2014 season, including the NJPGA/NJSGA Senior Open, New Jersey PGA Head Pro Championship, and the NJPGA Match Play Championship, Frank Esposito of Brooklake easily qualified for the PGA Championship after finishing in fourth place. During the last round, Esposito sank a 70-foot birdie putt, which further solidified his readiness for the upcoming competition in Valhalla in Louisville, KY. Along with Esposito, Jim McGovern of White Beeches also qualified after finishing tied for 16th after a final score of 5-over 293.

Rob Corcoran, a teaching professional at Poxabogue Golf Center, also qualified for the PGA Championship by finishing tied for 12th. 

Related: Watch Esposito's 70-foot birdie putt

Grant Sturgeon of Winged Foot and Rob Labritz of GlenArbor came very close to qualifying, but they just fell short in making a playoff to fight for the 20th and final qualifying spot. Labritz found himself in a similar – but not similar enough- position the year before at Oak Hill when he clinched the last spot during a 3-person playoff with his unbelievable birdie accomplished by a 96-foot chip in the hole from the fairway.

The PGA Championship is this August 4-10 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.