Fuzzy Zoeller, celebrated for his vibrant personality and two major golf victories, has passed away at the age of 74, as confirmed by a close associate. Although his career was overshadowed by a racially insensitive comment regarding Tiger Woods, Zoeller remains a notable figure in the sport.
The specific cause of Zoeller’s death has not been disclosed. Brian Naugle, who serves as the tournament director for the Insperity Invitational in Houston, reported that he received the news from Zoeller’s daughter on Thursday.
In 1979, Zoeller made history by becoming the last golfer to win the Masters on his first attempt, clinching victory in a dramatic three-man playoff. Another unforgettable moment came in 1984 at Winged Foot when Zoeller humorously waved a white towel, mistakenly believing Greg Norman had won, only to triumph over Norman in an 18-hole playoff the following day.
However, Zoeller’s reputation shifted significantly following the 1997 Masters.
During this tournament, Tiger Woods was on the verge of a groundbreaking achievement, poised for a historic win at Augusta National. After completing his round, Zoeller, with a drink in hand near the clubhouse’s iconic oak tree, was approached by CNN for his perspective on the young Woods, who was dominating the course at just 21 years old.
Zoeller remarked, “That little boy is driving well and he’s putting well. He’s doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it?”
He smiled and snapped his fingers, and as he was walking away he turned and said, “Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”
That moment haunted him the rest of his career.
Zoeller apologized. Woods was traveling and it took two weeks for him to comment as the controversy festered. Zoeller later said he received death threats for years after that moment.
Writing for Golf Digest in 2008, he said it was “the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life.”
“If people wanted me to feel the same hurt I projected on others, I’m here to tell you they got their way,” Zoeller wrote. “I’ve cried many times. I’ve apologized countless times for words said in jest that just aren’t a reflection of who I am. I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who will attest to that.
“Still, I’ve come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away.”
It marred a career filled with two famous major titles, eight other PGA Tour titles and a Senior PGA Championship among his two PGA Tour Champions titles.
More than winning was how he went about it. Zoeller played fast and still had an easygoing nature to the way he approach the game, often whistling between shots.
He made his Masters debut in 1979 and got into a three-way playoff when Ed Sneed bogeyed the last three holes. Zoeller defeated Sneed and Tom Watson with a birdie on the second playoff hole, flinging his putter high in the air.
“I’ve never been to heaven, and thinking back on my life, I probably won’t get a chance to go,” Zoeller once said. “I guess winning the Masters is as close as I’m going to get.”
Zoeller was locked in a duel with Norman at Winged Foot in the 1984, playing in the group behind and watching Norman make putt after putt. So when he saw Norman make a 40-footer on the 18th, he assumed it was for birdie and began waving a white towel in a moment of sportsmanship.
Only later did he realize it was for par, and Zoeller made par to force a playoff. Zoeller beat him by eight shots in the 18-hole playoff (67-75). Zoeller’s lone regret was giving the towel to a kid after he finished in regulation.
“If you happen to see a grungy white towel hanging around, get it for me, will you?” he once said.
He was born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. in New Albany, Indiana. Zoeller said his father was known only as “Fuzzy” and he was given the same name. He played at a junior college in Florida before joining the powerful Houston golf team before turning pro.
His wife, Diane, died in 2021. Zoeller has three children, including daughter Gretchen, with whom he used to play in the PNC Championship. Zoeller was awarded the Bob Jones Award by the USGA in 1985, the organization’s highest honor given for distinguished sportsmanship.
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