Playing on sponsor exemption, Michael Block leads by 2 at PGA Tour Champions Ally Challenge

There’s a sponsor exemption making noise on the PGA Tour Champions. But this one has a deal with Malbon and seems to have most golf fans either strongly for or against him.

The golfer in question at the 2026 Ally Challenge is Michael Block, who is playing his fifth PGA Tour Champions event of the season.

Saturday, one day after shooting 66, Block started off on the right foot with an eagle-3 on the par 5 opening hole. He went on to make birdies on Nos. 5, 7, 9, 13 and 16 before two closing pars. Add it up and it’s a 7-under 65 and a two-shot lead for Block.

His Champions tour results so far are T9 (Dick’s Open), T31 (U.S. Senior Open), T41 (Boeing Classic) and T5 (Rogers Charity Classic). The Ally marks his third tournament in three weeks and it appears that Block is finding his footing on the senior circuit. He was bogey-free Saturday and has two eagles and 10 birdies over 36 holes.

A birdie from the fringe 😎

Michael Block drips it in for birdie on No. 9 @AllyChallenge to take the lead. pic.twitter.com/LSFMPrIryo

— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 29, 2026

Block is 13 under and up two on Steven Alker, who won last week’s event in a playoff.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Playing on sponsor exemption, Michael Block leads by 2 at PGA Tour Champions Ally Challenge