wags is back
Johnson Wagner is at it again, hits ‘skull shank’ from bunker to within a few feet of the pin

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.
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.”
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.