Johnson Wagner's Hilarious Skull-Shank Bunker Shot Turns into Incredible Escape at American Express
Johnson Wagner delivered an entertaining segment at the American Express tournament, showcasing an unusual bunker shot that combined both skill and luck. The incident occurred at the notorious 16th hole bunker of the Pete Dye Stadium Course.
Golfer swings club in red hat
Wagner, a three-time PGA Tour winner turned Golf Channel analyst, attempted to demonstrate how to escape the challenging sand trap with a front Sunday pin placement. While his first attempt was technically sound, it was his second shot that captured attention - a skulled and shanked ball that miraculously worked in his favor.
Despite hitting the ball directly into the steep grass wall in front of him, the ball unexpectedly rolled onto the green, stopping approximately five feet from the hole. Wagner humorously commented, "So if you want to get it close just skull shank it up the hill on Sunday!"
The incident highlighted Wagner's ability to bring entertainment and relatability to golf coverage, as he candidly shared the challenges of playing from one of tour's most intimidating bunkers. He noted the difficult conditions, mentioning the flat bottom and limited sand coverage before executing his shots.
This performance adds to Wagner's growing reputation for delivering engaging golf coverage, following other memorable moments such as his recreation of Bryson DeChambeau's famous US Open bunker shot.