Did Johnson Wagner win the U.S. Open?
Might be so.
After Bryson DeChambeau’s dramatic win over Rory McIlroy on the second hole at Pinehurst, Wagner, now a Golf Channel legend, decided to recreate the best shot of the day, DeChambeau’s third shot from the sand on the 18th hole.
During the tournament, DeChambeau attempted a 55-yard shot from a bunker, often considered the most difficult shot in professional golf, and he executed it perfectly with a 55-degree wedge. Packing his approach He launched it to four feet and then made the par putt to win his second U.S. Open title.
About two hours later, after DeChambeau was paraded around Pinehurst No. 2 hugging all the fans, Wagner picked that shot for his famous demonstration.
Mind you, it’s precisely because of these short segments that Wagner has become something of a golfing celebrity in recent months. Since The Players Championship in March, he’s been on live TV humming balls down the side of a hill, punching rope shots from a tree, climbing into the woods to evaluate Xander Schauffele’s calls, broadcasting the yips twice and, this week, explaining why Tony Finau and Ludvig Oberg collapsed on the 13th hole.
But nothing topped what he accomplished on Sunday.
After DeChambeau hit the shot over the green, he pulled up to the spot where the now-famous shot was hit, hugged Wagner, and then, with the champion on hand to witness it, DeChambeau told Wagner to take another shot — and offered some advice on how to hit the shot.
Wagner, holding a 50-degree wedge, Hit the perfect chunk and runHis ball landed on the green and rolled toward the cup, just as DeChambeau’s ball had done on the regulation hole.
But Wagner’s ball came to rest even closer than DeChambeau’s, and DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champion and Golf Channel’s newest and biggest star, celebrated wildly.
Given the struggles Wagner has had on live TV this year, he celebrated the shot with dignity: DeChambeau handed him the trophy, and Wagner accepted it with a broad grin and some playfulness.
“Live From the U.S. Open” has always been a favorite show for golf fans before, during and after major championships, but Wagner’s appearance on the show has made it even more popular.
Congratulations to Johnson Wagner on winning the 124th U.S. Open. You deserved it.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
