Days After Calling Out Rory McIlroy, Ex-PGA Tour Pro Warns Against Quail Hollow Changes Backfiring

“I’m a huge fan of Rory, but he’s angering me right now.” Johnson Wagner, a veteran Tour pro turned Golf Channel commentator, expressed his frustration with Rory McIlroy’s recent comments, where McIlroy told PGA Tour pros opposed to allowing LIV players to return to “get over it.” Wagner believes McIlroy’s perspective is narrow, benefiting from increased earnings while sponsors and TV partners suffer. “The fact that he’s saying that we’ve all benefited, he’s just seeing things from a finite perspective, from his perspective… TV is down, everything is down, yet they are being asked to pay more money.”

Wagner took issue with McIlroy’s dismissive tone, pointing out that McIlroy has made comments in the past that have rubbed players the wrong way. And just when you thought Wagner was not as angry with the golfer anymore, he has said something against McIlroy again.

In an interview with Fried Egg Golf, Johnson Wagner expressed his thoughts on the recent changes to Quail Hollow, stating that they seem to favor Rory McIlroy. “I think Rory, he’s got the monkey off the back and he’s going to one of, you know, winning the major at the Masters. He’s going to one of the great golf courses set up for him.” Wagner noted that Quail Hollow has always been a “drawer’s paradise,” saying, “Quail Hollow has always been a drawer’s paradise. It’s part of the reason I love Bryson to play well at Quail Hollow.” However, he believes the changes made to the course benefit McIlroy’s game, particularly the 16th hole, which used to be an incredible par-four but now “it’s down towards the pond.”

Well, the course has undergone significant changes since the 2017 PGA Championship, where Justin Thomas claimed his breakthrough major victory. Quail Hollow was closed for several months to allow for improvements, including new tees on holes 9, 13, and 16, and the lengthening of the 16th hole, which can now reach 529 yards. The course will play as a par 71 and at a length of 7,626 yards, a slight increase from the 7,600 yards it played at in 2017.

Wagner criticized the decision to build a new tee for the 2024 Wells Fargo, stating, “We built a new tee for Rory for the 2024 Wells Fargo. Now it’s 325 to carry. And he’s the only person or one of the only people in the field that can carry that bunker.” He also mentioned the changes made to the 9th hole, saying, “We put a new tee box on nine and it’s back. It’s now 535 yards, and it only benefits one player. It’s Rory.”  Well, a new tee was indeed added, but not on nine; it was added to the par-4 16th hole, increasing its length to 529 yards and bringing the fairway bunker on the right side back into play for long hitters. Added the fact that the 2025 Masters Champion has won the tournament multiple times since 2010, making him a menace for it.

“When Augusta National tried to ‘Tiger Proof’ their golf course, all they did was make it more of an advantage for that player. When you look at the changes we’ve made to Quail Hollow it only benefits Rory.”@AndyTFE is joined by @johnson_wagner on the latest Fried Egg Golf… pic.twitter.com/QIv4EiQDZP

— Fried Egg Golf (@fried_egg_golf) May 11, 2025

Wagner drew a comparison to Augusta National’s attempts to “Tiger-proof” their course, saying, “So it’s like when Augusta National tried to Tiger-proof their golf course, all they did was make it more of an advantage for that player.” Did that really happen? Did one of the most difficult courses in the world adapt itself to fit one player’s needs?

Assessing the impact of ‘Tiger-Proofing’ on Augusta National

Almost two decades ago, the idea of “Tiger-proofing” a golf course, specifically Augusta National, seemed laughable. The theory was that toughening the course, especially by lengthening it, would only benefit Tiger Woods, as he was one of the longest players. However, since the significant changes were made to Augusta National, Woods has not dominated the Masters as he once did. Despite winning two green jackets since then, he has gone five years without winning the tournament, his longest streak without a Masters victory. Woods himself noted that the changes have taken away the par-5s, saying, “I used to hit driver and iron to every par-5. That’s not the case anymore.”

The changes to Augusta National, including adding yardage, trees, and rough, and narrowing fairways, have made the course more demanding for all players. Jim Furyk described the course as “not a fun golf course to play right now. It’s hard. It’s very demanding, both physically and mentally.” Many observers feel that Augusta National went too far in making these changes, and some, like Bubba Watson, believe that growing the rough and narrowing fairways would be more effective than lengthening the course. Since the changes, the winners of the Masters have been a mix of power players and shorter hitters, suggesting that the course changes have leveled the playing field to some extent. So, what are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comment section below!

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