Did Johnson Wagner win the U.S. Open?
He may need.
After Bryson DeChambeau triumphed over Rory McIlroy in epic trend at Pinehurst No. 2, Wagner, now a Golf Channel legend, determined to re-enact one of the best shot of the day: DeChambeau’s third from the sand on 18.
Through the event, DeChambeau confronted a 55-yard shot from the bunker, a frightening shot typically considered essentially the most tough in skilled golf. DeChambeau proceeded to execute it completely with a 55-degree wedge, stuffing his method to 4 toes. He then made the putt for par, thus clinching his second U.S. Open title.
About two hours later, after DeChambeau paraded round Pinehurst No. 2, embracing all of the followers, Wagner picked that shot for his well-known demonstration.
Thoughts you, Wagner has turn into a golf movie star in current months merely due to these brief segments. Since The Gamers Championship in March, Wagner, on reside tv, has: hummed balls into the aspect of a hill, roped a punch shot off a tree, climbed into the woods to asses a Xander Schauffele ruling, twice acquired the yips on air, after which, this week, he walked via why Tony Finau and Ludvig Åberg collapsed on the thirteenth gap.
However nothing might high what he did on Sunday.
After rocketing an try over the inexperienced, DeChambeau pulled as much as the spot the place he performed his now-famous shot and embraced Wagner. Then, DeChambeau instructed Wagner to hit one other one, with the champion as a witness. He additionally offered some perception on the way to play the shot.
With a 50-degree wedge in hand, Wagner hit an ideal chunk and run. His ball landed on the inexperienced and rolled in direction of the cup, simply as DeChambeau’s did in regulation.
However Wagner’s ball stopped even nearer than DeChambeau’s, which elicited an enormous celebration from the now-reigning U.S. Open champion and Golf Channel’s latest, and now, largest star.
Contemplating Wagner’s trials and tribulations on reside tv this 12 months, he celebrated this shot with authority. DeChambeau even handed him the trophy, which Wagner jokingly accepted with a giant smile on his face.
Reside From the U.S. Open has at all times been the go-to present for golf followers earlier than, throughout, and after main championships, however Wagner’s presence has made that much more so.
So congratulations on profitable the 124th U.S. Open, Johnson Wagner. You deserve it.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
