Lanny and Tucker Wadkins win 2015 PNC Father Son Challenge
Lanny and Tucker Wadkins won the 2015 PNC Father/Son Challenge on Sunday with an eagle on the first hole of a four-team playoff. It was the first time the Father Son Challenge had gone to a play off since the tournament came back to take a prominent place on the Central Florida golf calendar in 2012.
23 year old former University of Arizona Tucker made the 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th leaving Davis Love III and his son a make or break it eagle putt. Drew left his putt one agonizing roll of the ball short of the hole while Davis lipped out on the right edge to give the Wadkins their first victory in the event.
”Tucker hit a spectacular tee shot, one of the best he’s hit all week,” the 66-year-old Lanny said. ”He hit 4-iron, I hit 5-wood I got it a little closer. He made a 40-footer. I’ll remember what he did in making that putt.”
The Wadkins closed with a 9-under 63 to match Davis and Dru Love, Larry and Drew Nelson, and Fred and Taylor Funk at 20 under in the scramble tournament. The Nelsons and Funks shot 62, and the Loves had a 63, with all four teams birdieing the 18th in regulation.
Overnight leaders Vijay and Qass Singh shot a 66 to finish a stroke out of the playoff along with Lee and Connor Janzen. Last years winners, Bernhard and Jason Langer, tied for seventh at 18 under after a 63 while Jack and Gary Nicklaus closed with a 65 to tie for 14th at 15 under.
The Wadkins now take home the $200,000 first prize, while the Nelsons, Funks and Loves each bank $62,147 as a team.
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