Wadkins turned pro in 1973. He never won on the PGA Tour despite six runner-up finishes in 715 events, but he did win on the European Tour and the Japan Golf Tour. Since turning 50, he has played on the Champions Tour and won four times, including one senior major, the 2006 Senior Players Championship. Wadkins is tied with Mark Wiebe as the Champions Tour's youngest winner at the age of 50 years and 10 days when he captured the Lightpath Long Island Classic.