PGA Championship: Johnson Wagner continues to be colorful on-air hero for fans
Wagner continued to be the star of the PGA Championship broadcast after fans lost it watching his chipping yips.
Golf Channel analyst Johnson Wagner is golf entertainment in human form. Could an Emmy be in his future for the content he continues to produce?
He has to be one of the best personalities on the broadcast team, and the former PGA Tour pro added to his lore at the PGA Championship.
Throughout the season, Wagner has reenacted various golf scenarios, from questionable rulings to how to play specific holes at courses. Wagner has entertained fans thoroughly.
However, his vulnerability on Saturday evening at the PGA Championship may have garnered him even more fan love.
Wagner worked through chipping yips to show how Xander Schauffele and Sahith Theegala pulled off shots at Valhalla Golf Club’s 15th hole. Fans and media personalities lost it when the footage went up on social media.
The reactions are fantastic and show how much those who watch golf appreciate things like Johnson does.
“LIV and the Tour burned billions trying to better the golf product only to be usurped by Johnson Wagner hurling balls at a hill like Aroldis Chapman and suffering the yips on live TV. Hero,” senior writer at Golf Digest Joel Beall wrote.
LIV and the Tour burned billions trying to better the golf product only to be usurped by Johnson Wagner hurling balls at a hill like Aroldis Chapman and suffering the yips on live TV. Hero pic.twitter.com/sf8FzjiaU3
— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) May 19, 2024
Producers continue to ask him to do things, and Wagner goes for it. He provides a different level of golf commentary that not everyone can pull off. Not to mention, Wagner comes off as a guy anyone would like to have a beer with.
Fellow analyst Smylie Kaufman commented on the action as well. His sentiments are likely of many golf fans who enjoy watching whatever Wagner does next.
Dear @johnson_wagner,
— Smylie Kaufman (@SmylieKaufman10) May 19, 2024
Doesn’t matter where it goes… this content is the best whether you pull it off or not! Thanks for putting the hard helmet on every evening for us!
Love,
Golf fans everywhere pic.twitter.com/HjNQ3GkkYa
Wagner responded to Kaufman and asked him to be his caddy at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in a few weeks.
Thanks @SmylieKaufman10 That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Will you caddy for me at the @usopengolf https://t.co/wHc2FDUp8t
— Johnson Wagner (@johnson_wagner) May 19, 2024
"Well, we've got the toe shank. We've got the heel shank. It's just a Saturday night at the PGA Championship, guys."
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) May 19, 2024
get Johnson Wagner an Emmy and a bourbon pic.twitter.com/Q7nqOTIWod
Keep these coming @johnson_wagner this is the best thing on this app https://t.co/DEu8h9lWzN
— J.T. Poston (@JT_ThePostman) May 19, 2024
Even PGA Tour players like J.T. Poston loved Wagner's performance on the course. Many suggested he deserves an Emmy for his performance. To go through yips and own them like Wagner did takes guts. He handled it professionally and got more eyes on the game.
It will be interesting to see what Wagner has to recreate next, but one thing is sure: fans will enjoy it.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.