Club professional Michael Block fired a bogey-free, 7-under-par 63 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into Sunday's final round of the inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic at Lehigh Country Club in Allentown, positioning himself to become the first champion of the Lehigh Valley's first PGA Tour Champions event.
A Flawless Second Round
After opening Thursday with a 4-under 66, Block produced the tournament's lowest round in Saturday's second round, playing 18 holes without a single bogey. He birdied the first two holes, then added five more birdies at the 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, and 16th holes, finishing his back nine at 5-under 30 to reach a two-day total of 11-under 129. He enters Sunday one stroke ahead of New Zealand's Steven Alker, who also played bogey-free Saturday and shot a 65 for 10-under 130. Australia's Richard Green sits third at 9-under 131 following a second-round 67.
A New Tournament for the Region
The Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic is the first PGA Tour Champions tournament held in the Lehigh Valley. The tournament, presented by Sodexo and hosted at Lehigh Country Club on Allentown's western edge, was built to accommodate up to 30,000 spectators over its three days. Hotels and businesses around the region reported a boost in activity during tournament week, with organizers spending 18 months preparing to bring the Champions circuit to the region for the first time.
Sunday's Final Pairing
Block and Alker are scheduled to play together in Sunday's final group, revisiting a dynamic from the Ally Challenge earlier this season where Alker erased a two-shot Block advantage on the back nine to claim that event. Alker's closing experience on the PGA Tour Champions circuit makes Sunday's pairing a compelling storyline for local spectators. The winner will claim the inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic title and write the first chapter of what organizers hope becomes an annual event in the region.
At a Glance
- Michael Block leads at 11-under 129 after rounds of 66 and 63.
- Steven Alker is one stroke back at 10-under 130; Richard Green is third at 9-under 131.
- Block and Alker will play together in Sunday's final round at Lehigh Country Club, Allentown.
- The Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic is the first PGA Tour Champions event in Lehigh Valley history.
- The tournament is presented by Sodexo; up to 30,000 spectators were expected over three days.
