Lanny Wadkins Bio | Wiki
Lanny Wadkins ( Full name: Jerry Lanston “Lanny” Wadkins Jr. ) is an American professional golfer. He started to play on the Champions Tour in 2000. Lanny picked up a win in his first event at the ACE Group Classic in a four-way playoff.
He ranked in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking for 86 weeks from the ranking’s debut in 1986 to 1988. As a senior, Lanny divided his time between competition and broadcasting work. He worked with CBS Sports and did not become a regular winner at the senior level. In 2009, Lanny was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Lanny Wadkins Age
He was born on December 5, 1949, in Richmond, Virginia, United States of America. Lanny is 72 years old.
Lanny Wadkins Height
He is a man of above-average stature. Lanny stands at the height of 5 ft 9 in ( Approx 1.75 m).
Lanny Wadkins Family
He was born to his father and mother in Richmond, Virginia, United States of America. His younger brother called Robert Edwin Wadkins ( AKA Bobby) is currently playing on the Champions Tour.
Lanny Wadkins First Wife | Wife
He is happily married to his lovely wife called Penelope Wadkins. The couple has three children namely Jessica, Travis, and Tucker. Travis played on the Wake Forest University golf team from 2006 to 2010. Also, he played on the eGolf Tour in 2011 and made it to the final stage of the PGA Tour’s Qualifying School.
However, he failed to earn a card. Tucker played on the University of Arizona golf team from 2011 to 2015. Lanny’s nephew called Ron Whittaker is a professional golfer on the second-tier Web.com Tour with 77 PGA Tour starts.
Lanny Wadkins Son | Daughter
He and his wife share three children, a daughter called Jessica and two sons called Travis, and Tucker. Travis played on the Wake Forest University golf team from 2006 to 2010. Also, he played on the eGolf Tour in 2011 and made it to the final stage of the PGA Tour’s Qualifying School. However, he failed to earn a card. Tucker played on the University of Arizona golf team from 2011 to 2015.
Lanny Wadkins Education
Lanny attended Meadowbrook High School. He then joined Wake Forest University on an Arnold Palmer golf scholarship. In 1970, he won the U.S. Amateur in Oregon, one stroke ahead of runner-up Tom Kite, and turned professional in 1971.
Lanny Wadkins Golf Channel | CBS
After the retirement of Ken Venturi in June 2002, Lanny became the lead analyst for CBS for over four years. He worked there until he was replaced by Nick Faldo after the 2006 season. Currently, Lanny serves as the lead analyst for the Champions Tour on Golf Channel. He has become famous for constantly saying “Billy Ray” during his commentary. Billy Ray Brown is an on-course commentator.
Lanny Wadkins Golfer | Golf | Majors
His first win on the PGA Tour came in October 1972, at the Sahara Invitational in Las Vegas. Lanny finished one stroke ahead of runner-up Palmer, his scholarship benefactor. He was voted Rookie of the Year on the tour in 1972. Two more wins followed in 1973 prior to his form dipped for three years. In 1977, he bounced back to win his sole major title at the PGA Championship.
Lanny prevailed on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff at Pebble Beach against Gene Littler. This was the first time the sudden-death format was used in a stroke-play major championship. Lanny was runner-up in four subsequent majors, U.S. Open in 1986, PGA Championship in 1982, 1984, and 1987. He finished third in the Masters three times, in 1990, 1991, and 1993.
Lanny’s best finish in The Open Championship was fourth at St. Andrews in 1984. On the PGA Tour, he won The Players Championship at Sawgrass in 1979. Also, he was voted PGA Player of the Year in 1985. Over his career, Lanny picked up a win more seasons than not until 1992, when he achieved his 21st and final PGA Tour victory at the Canon Greater Hartford Open.
Like many star American golfers, Lanny was invited to play in a number of international tournaments. In 1978, he won the Victorian PGA Championship, an event in Australia. In 1979, he won Bridgestone Open, an event on the Japan Golf Tour. Also, Lanny finished runner-up at the 1979 German Open, the 1980 Air New Zealand Shell Open, as well as 1990 Austrian Open. In addition, he won unofficial events in South America, Canada, and Japan.
Lanny Wadkins Ryder Cup Record | Ryder Cup
Between 1977 and 1993, Lanny played for the United States in the Ryder Cup eight times, which ties for the highest number of appearances in the competition by an American, alongside Raymond Floyd and Billy Casper. Since then, Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk have made ten and nine appearances, respectively. Lanny collected 2.5 points during his Ryder Cup career. He made one of the very best records on either side in the history of the competition. Also, hecaptained the team in 1995 at Oak Hill Country Club.
Lanny Wadkins House
On December 19, 2013, Concierge Auction sold off the Preston Trails home, Fairway Estate of golfer Lanny, 6002 Kettering Court, without reserve. The property was listed as far back as August 2011 with Kevin Laszlo of Dave Perry Miller, for a whopping $2,995,000. Later, it was reduced to $2,449,000 and then listed with Mike Brodie of Keller Williams for $2,295,000. The house sits on 9521 square feet.
Lanny Wadkins Golf Channel Salary
Currently, Lanny serves as the lead analyst for the Champions Tour on Golf Channel. He earns an average salary of $117,935 per year.
Lanny Wadkins Net Worth
He is an American professional golfer with an estimated net worth of $15 million.
Where Is Lanny Wadkins
As of 2022, Lanny serves as the lead analyst for the Champions Tour on Golf Channel.
Why Did Lanny Wadkins Leave CBS
In October 2006, CBS replaced lead golf analyst Lanny with Nick Faldo. He was “Blindsided” By CBS’ Decision “without warning and with few reasons offered.” According to Rex Hoggard of GOLFWEEK, Lanny rep Vinny Giles: “There was no warning. He was totally blindsided.”
Is Lanny Wadkins Still On Golf Channel
Currently, Lanny serves as the lead analyst for the Champions Tour on Golf Channel. He has become famous for constantly saying “Billy Ray” during his commentary. Billy Ray Brown is an on-course commentator.