Former PGA Tour pro who ranted about Rory McIlroy leaps to his defence

Golf Channel analyst and former PGA Tour pro Johnson Wagner has leapt to Rory McIlroy's defence. 

McIlroy, 36, decided to skip media duties all four tournaments days at the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. 

News broke during the first round that his driver was deemed non-confirming by the USGA and he was forced into a late switch. 

It is unclear why McIlroy decided to opt out of media duties but some have speculated he was annoyed about the news leaking. 

Sky Sports' veteran commentator Ewan Murray defended McIlroy yesterday and now Wagner has also given the golfer a pass. 

Wagner told the 5 Clubs podcast nobody really understands what the recently crowned Masters winner goes through during a major week. 

"I've done a couple of walk-and-talks with him over the last few years now, and I don't think there's anybody who can appreciate what Rory goes through on a Tuesday or a Wednesday at a major championship," Wagner said. 

Wagner made headlines in January after he became incensed by McIlroy's shifting position over the PGA Tour's schism with LIV Golf.

McIlroy said golfers simply needed to 'get over it' if they had their feelings hurt. Wagner pointed out TV ratings had declined and sponsors were being squeezed. 

It's water under the bridge, now, though, and McIlroy joined Wagner for a walk-and-talk before the second men's major of the year. 

McIlroy told Wagner that Shane Lowry bought a $10,000 bottle of wine from the Augusta National clubhouse to celebrate his Masters triumph.

Wagner continued: "He did his press conference on Wednesday. Goes out late to play the back nine. 

"The crowds are massive and everyone is yelling at him asking for a picture or autograph. There's so many inside the rope credentials that, every step he takes, someone wants something from him.

"I have so much respect for how he handles himself, especially on a day when he is preparing himself for a major. I'm giving Rory grace. 

"I get it, players should talk to the media, but given what he has been through and how much he gives, I'm fine with Rory not talking to the media.

"I wish he had. He could have squashed the rumours and speculation that was going around. But I'm absolutely fine with him not speaking to media."

The USGA declined to comment as testing results are always kept confidential. The PGA of America initially took the same position.

But the chief championship officer of the governing body, Kerry Haigh, then cleared McIlroy of 'intent'. 

"Finding driver heads that have crept over the line of conformance is not an unusual occurrence," Haigh said. 

"Especially for clubs that are hit thousands of times over a long period of time."

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler then confirmed his driver also failed before he won the PGA Championship.

Scheffler then explained in his winning news conference he believes the rules need to change and every driver should be tested. 

Wagner added: "I thought what Scheffler said about his driver fail on Sunday was awesome. It really gave us a light. 

"He's been using his driver model for over a year and, about a month or two ago, he said that this driver is probably getting close to failing.

"So, he's gone 'let's get dialled in for a back-up driver.' He was able to, at the PGA Championship after his driver was non-conforming, have the new one come in seamlessly.

"I would have loved Rory to talk about that process, because it was interesting that Scottie was thinking about it.

"Most players have a back-up head they travel with, but I really enjoyed Scottie's process of going through it."

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