Lanny and Tucker Wadkins win Father/Son Challenge

ORLANDO, Florida — Lanny and Tucker Wadkins won the PNC Father/Son Challenge Sunday with an eagle on the first hole of a four-team playoff. Tucker made the 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. The 23-year-old former University of Arizona player works in investor relations. “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. “We never really made a lot of putts all week,” Davis Love III said. “Tucker and Lanny made a lot of putts. We watched them all week. That’s what you have to do to win.” Lanny made a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole in regulation. “Dad’s still got a little bit left,” Lanny said. Lanny earned $200,000. “He poured that putt in on 18,” Tucker said. “That was cool. Awesome to see.” Vijay and Qass Singh, the first-round leaders after a 59, shot a 66 to finish a stroke out of the playoff along with Lee and Connor Janzen. The Janzens had a 63. Bernhard and Jason Langer, the winners last year, tied for seventh at 18 under after a 63. Jack and Gary Nicklaus closed with a 65 to tie for 14th at 15 under. Europe-Asia merger must In Thailand, European Tour veteran Thomas Bjorn has described a proposed merger with the Asian Tour as “the only way forward,” despite concern among some Asian players. Bjorn, who is chairman of the European Tour’s tournament committee which represents players’ interests, said Asian players shouldn’t worry about losing playing opportunities if the mega-tour goes ahead. The proposal to combine the tours’ business dealings and memberships could be a game-changer, but some Asian players are concerned about being squeezed out by European stars. However, Bjorn said the plan provided a great opportunity for Asian pros — and denied that Europe was trying to take over tournaments in the region. “A merger is the only way forward,” Bjorn said at the Thailand Golf Championship, which finished Sunday. “I appreciate some of the (Asian Tour) players are concerned, but they will actually benefit from it... It will provide a great opportunity for the young Asian players.” The merger talks have coincided with a shake-up at the Asian Tour, where CEO Mike Kerr’s resignation was announced without explanation last week. The body’s board has also seen a change in personnel, although the Asian Tour has not responded to requests for confirmation when approached by AFP. When asked about the merger situation, Indian veteran Jeev Milkha Singh said in Thailand: “We have a new board and we will wait to see what they recommend.” — Agencies