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Johnson Wagner has compared comments Rory McIlroy made in the days leading up to the PGA Championship with the infamous statement Bryson DeChambeau made about Augusta National earlier in his career.
If DeChambeau never wins The Masters, his declaration that the iconic course is basically a par 67 for him will haunt him long after his career has concluded.
The LIV Golf star made the comment back in 2020, noting that he can reach all of the par fives in two. Unsurprisingly, DeChambeau has since expressed his regret about what he said.
Rory McIlroy’s mistake before the PGA Championship compared with infamous Bryson DeChambeau comments
Rory McIlroy made one of the most striking comments in the days leading up to the PGA Championship. McIlroy claimed strategy off the tee was not necessary at Aronimink, with the golf course simply asking you to send the ball as far down the hole as possible.
Sadly, the strategy he had on Thursday did not pay off. McIlroy is four over par after his opening round at the second major of the year, and now facing a real fight just to make the cut.
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The 37-year-old did struggle with the driver in his hand. And speaking on Scorecard on CBS, Johnson Wagner claimed that McIlroy made a real error with his comments ahead of the event.
“Honestly, I almost liken it to when Bryson a few years back said that Augusta was a par 67 for him. It didn’t work out very well. And saying that, and the density of the rough around this golf course, it’s not that it’s that tall, it’s just so thick. And he proved today only hitting five of 14 fairways that fairways matter around this golf course,” he said.
Why Rory McIlroy’s PGA Championship record has been underwhelming since his second victory
Until 2026, the PGA Championship was the one major McIlroy had won twice. However, his recent record is not particularly impressive.
McIlroy has not had a top five since his second win in 2014. And no other major has seen him finish inside the top 10 on fewer occasions than the PGA Championship.
Wagner suggested that McIlroy’s potentially underwhelming record in recent years could have stemmed from just how much energy he put into winning at The Masters the previous month.
“When you look at Rory at the PGA Championships, since it’s moved to May, Rory has been striving for that Career Grand Slam for so long and everything he puts into Augusta National, and trying to win that Masters,” he said.
“So I just think he’s won obviously the last two Masters tournaments, so coming here after three weeks off and going to play Quail Hollow, I think he has made it clear how important The Masters is to him. And I think it’s just the PGA falls in a date when he’s taking some time off and taking a breath.”
McIlroy certainly experienced a sharp decline in his fortunes after his incredible win at Augusta last year. And you can imagine that he needed some time to reset after each trip to The Masters where he left empty-handed.
It is probably too soon to say that he is completely out of this tournament at seven shots back. However, there is no question that he is going to have to produce one of his best rounds in a long time if he is going to give himself any chance.
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