New year, same Johnson Wagner. Thankfully.
The three-time PGA Tour winner and Golf Channel analyst proved that he was a man of the people often last year when he’d attempt to recreate important shots at the game’s biggest events. He’s hit awful shots, decent shots and great shots, but he’s never afraid to try, which has quickly earned him folk hero status.
Well, we’re happy to report that Wagner is back. And he hasn’t lost his fastball.
During Thursday’s Golf Channel coverage of the American Express, Wagner jumped into the infamous bunker left of the par-5, 16th green at the PGA West Stadium Course. Just google it and you’ll find plenty of videos of players hacking their way out of the bunker, which is way, way below an elevated green, presenting a blind shot up a hill toward the pin.
RELATED: Johnson Wagner’s ‘folk hero’ rise is a blend of yips, shanks and passion
Wagner attempted the shot twice—the first time to a back, right pin and the second time to a front, left pin, which is the usual Sunday placement.
The first time was a decent attempt. “Not a whole lotta sand in this bunker,” he said, “not a whole lotta hope for this shot either … oh, I got it out.”
Johnson Wagner (@johnson_wagner) demonstrates how to play from the dauntingly steep greenside bunker on 16 at the Stadium Course. 😅 pic.twitter.com/NYgvfkKqwH
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) January 16, 2025
The second attempt was classic Wagner.
“If you’re down in this position you’ve made a massive mistake,” he said. “OK, up the hill, into the sun. Let’s see what we got … Oh, gosh.”
He starts laughing after he skulled the shot directly into the hill that somehow made it up and onto the green, ending within five feet.
“That was a skull shank … is it pretty good? So, if you want to get it close, just skull-shank it up the hill on Sunday. Hope this is helpful.”
Never change Johnson. Never change.
For more laughs, here are some of his greatest hits from 2024, with clips from the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Presidents Cup.
Enjoy.
Re-creating Xander Schauffele's chip shot on the 4th, @Johnson_Wagner got the yips LIVE on air. 🙃💀
📺: Golf Central Live From the #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/fXhCURrn6N
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 17, 2024
Johnson Wagner recreates Woody Austin's iconic shot from the 2007 Presidents Cup ahead of its return to the Royal Montreal Golf Club. 💦 pic.twitter.com/rZfFuat3iF
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 23, 2024
Three-time PGA TOUR winners aren't perfect. 😅
Johnson Wagner had the Live From crew cracking up while he was trying to replicate Scottie Scheffler's shots. pic.twitter.com/eiOYmME79F
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 24, 2024
.@Johnson_Wagner re-creates Bryson DeChambeau's winning bunker shot with some help from Bryson himself! 😂👏 @b_dechambeau
📺: Golf Central Live From the #USOpen pic.twitter.com/cjqhdlnMMc
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 17, 2024
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com