Did Johnson Wagner win the U.S. Open?
He might need.
After Bryson DeChambeau triumphed over Rory McIlroy in epic vogue at Pinehurst No. 2, Wagner, now a Golf Channel legend, determined to re-enact the very best shot of the day: DeChambeau’s third from the sand on 18.
Through the match, 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 ft. 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 change into a golf celeb in current months merely due to these brief segments. Since The Gamers Championship in March, Wagner, on stay tv, has: hummed balls into the facet 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 by way of 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 supplied some perception on 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 the direction of the cup, simply as DeChambeau’s did in regulation.
However Wagner’s ball stopped even nearer than DeChambeau’s, which elicited a large 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 stay tv this yr, he celebrated this shot with authority. DeChambeau even handed him the trophy, which Wagner jokingly accepted with a giant smile on his face.
Dwell 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 successful the 124th U.S. Open, Johnson Wagner. You deserve it.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Be sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
