Bobby Wadkins wants to make it perfectly clear: He?s pleased with what he?s accomplished so far, but winning this week?s Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship would turn a good year into a great one.
“Winning The ACE Group Classic was nice, it?s been a good year,” Wadkins, 56, said. “But it can be even better depending on how I finish off the next three weeks. Anytime you win it?s gratifying, but I need to putt a little better.”
Wadkins fourth career Champions Tour victory came on Feb. 25 at The ACE Group Classic in Naples, Fla., where he won on with a birdie the 18th hole to beat Allen Doyle by a stroke at 15-under par. But he?s no stranger to the pressure of a four-day major. Last season, Wadkins won the Ford Senior Players Championship ? now the event held this weekend at Baltimore Country Club?s East Course ? in Dearborn, Mich., by a stroke over Jim Thorpe at 14-under par.
“I?m the kind of guy that when it?s time to play golf, it?s time to play golf,” Wadkins, 25th on the money list with more than $631,000 in earnings, said. “I?m going to try my best no matter what. I do like the four day [major] tournaments. They give you a chance to have a hiccup and come back. You can be a little more patient in a four day tournament.”
Wadkins? strength, which has earned him a tournament victory, four finishes in the top-10 and seven in the top-25 this season, has been his driving, where he ranks 13th in driving distance and 29th in driving accuracy percentage and third overall in total driving.
However, Wadkins realizes putting often is the deciding factor in majors, which means he must improve on his 36th-ranked Birdie Average at 3.51 per round.
“I always can do a bit better from tee to green,” Wadkins said. “But the guys making the putts are the guys you see on T.V. I am tickled pink about how I have done, but I need to start making some more putts.”
But no matter how this weekend turns out, Wadkins knows he couldn?t ask for a better job.
“My favorite part is that you still get to hang around with all your friends,” Wadkins said. “Plus the money?s not too bad either.”
