description Lanny Wadkins Overview
Lanny Wadkins is an American professional golfer who won 21 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1977 PGA Championship. This victory was notable for being the first sudden-death playoff in major championship history, where he defeated Gene Littler. He represented the United States in eight Ryder Cup teams and later served as the captain for the 1995 squad. Following his competitive playing career, Wadkins worked as a television golf analyst for CBS Sports and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.
help Lanny Wadkins FAQ
What was historic about Lanny Wadkins' 1977 PGA Championship win?
His 1977 PGA Championship at Pebble Beach was decided in the first sudden-death playoff in major championship history. Wadkins defeated Gene Littler in the extra holes to claim his only major title.
How many PGA Tour victories did Lanny Wadkins have?
Wadkins won 21 times on the PGA Tour between the early 1970s and the mid-1990s. That tally places him among the most successful American players of his generation.
Did Lanny Wadkins ever captain the Ryder Cup team?
Yes, he captained the U.S. Ryder Cup side at Oak Hill in 1995, where Europe narrowly won the cup. He had earlier been one of America's fiercest Ryder Cup competitors as a player across multiple cups in the 1970s through 1993.
Is Lanny Wadkins in the World Golf Hall of Fame?
Yes, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009. After his playing days he also became a familiar television golf analyst for networks including CBS and Golf Channel.
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