CHASKA, MINN. ? Lanny Wadkins has a long way to go to match Johnny Miller when it comes to irritating pro golfers. But Wadkins doesn’t lack candor either.

Wadkins believes today’s players are “thin-skinned” and says they were “brought up in a cocoon.”

“This generation of golfer has it much simpler,” Wadkins said. “The tournaments are more organized. They have courtesy cars, and then there’s the money. I’d like to see them be more appreciative of what they have.”

Good stuff. Now let’s see how much of that translates on the air.

Wadkins is getting on-the-job training as CBS’ new lead golf analyst. He will get his first major exposure this weekend when he sits in the 18th-hole tower with Jim Nantz for the PGA Championship.

Wadkins has replaced Ken Venturi, who stepped down in May after 35 years. Venturi at various times in his tenure had been knocked for not being critical enough.

That shouldn’t be a problem with Wadkins. As a 23-year PGA Tour player, he was known for being straightforward, sometimes too much so. He never has been one to sugarcoat things, and he says he won’t change on his new job.

“I’m not looking to chop somebody up, but if there is something that needs to be said, I’ll say it,” Wadkins said. “I never had any problem getting criticized as a player. We’re supposed to tell the viewers what happened out there. If someone screwed up, I’ll say, ‘He screwed up.”‘

Wadkins never anticipated a career in broadcasting. But after undergoing two elbow surgeries, and with CBS being in the market for a new lead analyst, network golf commentator David Feherty suggested he consider it.

It seemed like a good match. Like Miller on NBC and Curtis Strange on ABC, Wadkins had the requisite track record. He won 21 tournaments, including the 1977 PGA Championship. He also was known for having something to say.

But Wadkins is learning that packaging those comments for television is a little tougher than he thought it would be. He has a new appreciation for the powers of concentration the booth demands.

“I told someone that when I was in contention, I never left the course without having a headache,” Wadkins said. “Now when I’m done with a broadcast, I leave with a headache. You have to constantly pay attention because they can come to you (for analysis) at any time.”

Wadkins concedes that he’s rough around the edges. CBS is sure to work with him on amplifying his presence in the booth. He sounds a bit understated at times.

But Lance Barrow, CBS’ golf producer, likes Wadkins’ potential.

“I worked on John Madden’s first game at CBS (in 1979),” Barrow said. “He was far from a finished product. It took him some time. Lanny is going to need some time to get adjusted, but I think he’ll do fine.”

Wadkins says he is willing to do the work. He knows there will be comparisons with Miller and Strange, but he says he isn’t going to worry about it.

“The main thing is getting more comfortable,” he said. “When I get satisfied and comfortable with what I’m doing, it will all come across.