Lanny Wadkins

Class of 1994

Professional Player

This Exhibit is Generously Sponsored by Preston Trail Golf Club.

Biography

Known as a fierce competitor and as one of the best iron players on tour, Lanny Wadkins compiled an impressive career record topped off by his play in the Ryder Cup. Wadkins first gained notice by winning the prestigious Southern Amateur in 1968, a feat he repeated in 1970.

He attended Wake Forest University on a scholarship acquired for him by Arnold Palmer, a Wake Forest alum. He was a collegiate All-American in 1970 and 1971, and he won the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1970. Wadkins turned professional in 1971. His first tour victory was at the Sahara Invitational in 1972. He won multiple times in 1973 and his last season of multiple wins was 1988.

Wadkins was the winner of the 1977 PGA Championship, where he defeated Gene Littler in the first-ever sudden-death playoff at that event. He also won the 1979 Players Championship. In total, Wadkins won 21 times on the PGA Tour.

Wadkins was co-leader in victories on the PGA Tour in 1983 with two and 1985 with three. He finished second on the money list in 1985, his best showing, and was third on the money list two other times. Wadkins' final win on the PGA Tour was the 1992 Greater Hartford Open. He won his debut on the Champions Tour in 2000. From 2002-2006, he took on duties as the lead analyst on CBS' golf broadcasts from 2002-06.

Wadkins was a Ryder Cup stalwart for the U.S. side throughout his career. He played on eight teams, tied for the American record at the time, winning 20 matches and 21.5 points, both among the highest totals for Americans. His overall Ryder Cup record was 20-11-3. Wadkins left CBS' golf telecasts at the end of 2006. He designs golf courses through his company, Lanny Wadkins Design Group. He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.

Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia

Born: December 5, 1949

Legacy Video

Inductee Highlights

Amateur

1968 and 1970 Southern Amateur Champion
1969 Eastern Amateur Champion
1969 and 1971 Walker Cup
1970 U.S. Amateur Champion
1970 Western Amateur Champion

Professional

1972 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year
1977 PGA Champion
1985 PGA Player of the Year
22 PGA TOUR wins
Ryder Cup Team Member 1977, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993
Ryder Cup Captain 1995
Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame 2009

Playing in 1970 The Masters

Lanny Wadkins’ amateur career reached an extraordinary peak in 1969 and 1970. After earning a place on the victorious 1969 U.S. Walker Cup Team, he continued his rise by winning the Southern Amateur, Western Amateur and, most importantly, the U.S. Amateur in 1970. His U.S. Amateur victory came by one stroke over Tom Kite and firmly established him among the country’s elite amateur players. Making the 1969 Walker Cup Team also brought another special opportunity. At the time, team members received invitations to the Masters, allowing Lanny to make his first appearance at Augusta National in 1970.

Turning Pro

Lanny Wadkins turned professional following the 1971 NCAA Championship after financial pressures made it impossible to continue competing as an amateur. Before joining the professional ranks, he capped one of the greatest amateur careers of his era by representing the United States in the 1971 Walker Cup and finishing 13th as an amateur at the 1971 U.S. Open, earning exemptions into the 1972 Masters and 1972 U.S. Open. With virtually no financial backing, he won the first professional tournament he entered, earned enough money to attend PGA Tour Qualifying School, secured his Tour card, and quickly established himself with a series of strong finishes that launched one of the most successful rookie seasons in PGA TOUR history.

Rookie of the Year 1972

Lanny Wadkins enjoyed one of the greatest rookie seasons in PGA TOUR history in 1972, winning the Sahara Invitational for his first Tour victory by defeating Arnold Palmer by one stroke. He finished tenth on the PGA TOUR money list with a rookie record $116,616 in earnings and, in 36 starts, recorded one victory, two runner up finishes, 10 top 10 finishes, 27 finishes in the money, and a 71.8 scoring average, immediately establishing himself as one of the game's brightest young stars.

An Amazing History of Ryder Cup Matches!

The Ryder Cup held a special place in Lanny Wadkins’ career. He represented the United States in eight Ryder Cups between 1977 and 1993, missing only the 1981 matches because of a thumb injury. Lanny loved the intensity, team atmosphere and pressure of the competition, and his passion for the event made him one of the defining American Ryder Cup players of his generation. He later returned as U.S. captain in 1995.

Legacy & Keepsake Family Moment

One of Lanny Wadkins’ most meaningful victories came far from the pressure of an individual TOUR event. Partnering with his son, Tucker, in the 2015 Father-Son Challenge and having his other son, Travis, caddie for Tucker, Lanny shared the competition with both of them and came away with the championship. The victory, the championship belt, and the experience of having his sons beside him made it far more than another trophy. It became a treasured family moment and one of the keepsakes from his career that carries special meaning.

Broadcasting Career

After his Hall of Fame playing career, Lanny Wadkins found a second calling in broadcasting when an opportunity to emcee the PGA Past Champions Clinic at the 1997 PGA Championship caught the attention of Jim Nantz, who recognized his natural talent for television. He went on to become one of golf's most respected broadcasters, spending six seasons as CBS's lead golf analyst alongside Nantz before serving as the Golf Channel's lead analyst for the Champions Tour for 13 seasons, where his insightful commentary and engaging personality helped bring the game to millions of viewers.

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Deep Dive Interview

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Lanny Wadkins - Early Days