The countdown to the World Cup is on
FIFA President Infantino awards Trump the FIFA Peace Prize at World Cup draw
Johnson Wagner warns players to be cautious of Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship, despite McIlroy's recent tied 19th finish at the Truist Championship. Wagner believes McIlroy remains a formidable competitor.
Mentioned in this story
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Johnson Wagner has insisted that the field should be very scared of Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship despite the Northern Irishman failing to contend at the Truist Championship this past week.
McIlroy marked his first start since his second Masters victory by finishing tied for 19th at Quail Hollow.
Of course, the North Carolina course has been good to McIlroy over the years. So it was a surprise to see him go backwards during Saturday’s third round. But he was able to bounce back in impressive fashion on Sunday.
McIlroy posted a 67 to sneak inside the top 20. And it seems that Johnson Wagner saw enough to believe that the 37-year-old will be the man to beat at the second major championship of the year.
Speaking on Scorecard after the Truist Championship had concluded, Wagner suggested that he was so impressed by what he saw from McIlroy on the practice ground at Quail Hollow that he cannot help but tip him to win a third PGA Championship crown.
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“I think you’re going to see Rory at the top of his game. We’re finally going to get a Rory-Scottie battle,” he said.
Johnson Wagner noted that despite Rory McIlroy's tied 19th finish at the Truist Championship, players should still be scared of him at the PGA Championship.
Rory McIlroy finished tied for 19th place at the Truist Championship, marking his first start since winning his second Masters.
Johnson Wagner emphasized that Rory McIlroy's past successes and potential make him a significant threat at the PGA Championship.
McIlroy struggled during the third round but managed to bounce back impressively on Sunday.
FIFA President Infantino awards Trump the FIFA Peace Prize at World Cup draw
David Njoku finds a new home with the Chargers after leaving the Browns.
Marco Bezzecchi loses to Jorge Martin in French GP due to confidence issues.
Sheffield United faces tough decisions in the upcoming transfer window.
Check out the Cincinnati Bengals' mock schedule for the 2026 season!
Blue Jays still relying on opener for struggling Eric Lauer
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
“I saw enough great stuff out of him this week, I’m not concerned at all. I watched him warm up yesterday, and on the chipping green, some of the shots he was able to play were absolutely ridiculous. He just kept hitting these flop shots off this tight fairway grass right around the green. He holed like three chips in about 20 shots that he hit, and every other one looked like it was going to go in. So I think he’s primed and ready.
“The way he talked after The Masters about the Grand Slam, he thought it was the top of the mountain, but realised it was just a step along the way. Man, I’d be scared if I was playing at the PGA because Rory’s coming.”
It does appear that his struggles in the third round of the latest signature event can be dismissed as an anomaly.
Remarkably, it was one of the worst rounds of McIlroy’s entire PGA Tour career statistically.
McIlroy was the worst player in the field around the greens. He was not significantly better with his approach play either.
And Wagner explained what McIlroy put those struggles down to when they spoke after the third round.
“I will say about Rory, with him yesterday, Rory McIlroy kept missing his irons and wedges just horribly left. I talked to him after the round after doing the show when I got my leg in that pond, and Rory said the wind on the range was left to right all week long and he kept just his shoulders open and open. So I feel confident he’s going to fix that and I’m looking forward to watching him play next week too,” he said.
McIlroy looks to have found an ideal balance in his life. His second Masters win was partially inspired by the numerous trips he took to Augusta National in the weeks leading into the event.
Similarly, he has spent time at Aronimink. He viewed that as better preparation than playing in events such as the RBC Heritage and the Cadillac Championship.
McIlroy has been well and truly freed up by his 2025 Masters win. It may have taken longer to feel that way than some would have expected, but he is now looking determined to make up for lost time after going more than a decade without a major victory.