Fuzzy Zoeller, two-time main golf champion, dies at 74

Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time main champion and one in every of golf’s most gregarious characters has died, the PGA Tour confirmed Thursday. He was 74. 

“The PGA TOUR is saddened by the passing of Fuzzy Zoeller. Fuzzy was a real unique whose expertise and charisma left an indelible mark on the sport of golf,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan stated in an announcement Thursday. “Fuzzy mixed aggressive excellence with a humorousness that endeared him to followers and fellow gamers alike. We have a good time his exceptional legacy and prolong our deepest condolences to his household.”

A reason for dying was not instantly out there. Brian Naugle, the event director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, instructed The Related Press that Zoeller’s daughter known as him Thursday with the information.

President Trump wrote about Zoeller’s dying on social media, saying he was “very unhappy” to listen to in regards to the golfer’s passing. 

“In 1979, Fuzzy gained the Masters Event (Just one of three to win in his first look!) and, in 1984, he gained the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Membership, and famously waved the white towel on the 18th Gap as he went on to beat Greg Norman in an 18 Gap playoff. A very exceptional individual and participant, he will probably be missed!” Trump wrote.

Zoeller was the final participant to win the Masters on his first try, a three-man playoff in 1979. He famously waved a white towel at Winged Foot in 1984 when he thought Greg Norman had beat him, solely to defeat Norman in an 18-hole playoff the following day.

Nevertheless it was the 1997 Masters that impacted his recognition, when he made a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods. 

Zoeller had completed his spherical and had a drink in hand underneath the oak tree by the clubhouse when he was stopped by CNN and requested for his ideas on the 21-year-old Woods on his approach to probably the most dominant win ever at Augusta Nationwide.

“That little boy is driving nicely and he is placing nicely. He is doing every little thing it takes to win. So, what you guys do when he will get in right here? You pat him on the again and say congratulations and revel in it and inform him not serve fried rooster subsequent yr. Received it?,” Zoeller stated.

He smiled and snapped his fingers, and as he was strolling away he turned and stated, “Or collard greens or regardless of the hell they serve.”

That second haunted him the remainder of his profession.

Zoeller apologized. Woods was touring and it took two weeks for him to remark because the controversy festered. Zoeller later stated he obtained dying threats for years after that second.

Writing for Golf Digest in 2008, he stated it was “the worst factor I’ve gone by means of in my total life.”

“If individuals wished me to really feel the identical damage I projected on others, I am right here to let you know they bought their method,” Zoeller wrote. “I’ve cried many instances. I’ve apologized numerous instances for phrases stated in jest that simply aren’t a mirrored image of who I’m. I’ve lots of of pals, together with individuals of shade, who will attest to that.”

“Nonetheless, I’ve come to phrases with the truth that this incident won’t ever, ever go away,” he wrote.

It marred a profession full of two well-known main titles, eight different PGA Tour titles and a Senior PGA Championship amongst his two PGA Tour Champions titles.

Greater than profitable was how he went about it. Zoeller performed quick and nonetheless had an easygoing nature to the best way he approached the sport, typically whistling between pictures.

He made his Masters debut in 1979 and bought right into a three-way playoff when Ed Sneed bogeyed the final three holes. Zoeller defeated Sneed and Tom Watson with a birdie on the second playoff gap, flinging his putter excessive within the air.

“I’ve by no means been to heaven, and considering again on my life, I most likely will not get an opportunity to go,” Zoeller as soon as stated. “I assume profitable the Masters is as shut as I’ll get.”

He was born Frank City Zoeller Jr. in New Albany, Indiana. Zoeller stated his father was identified solely as “Fuzzy,” and he was given the identical title. He performed at a junior faculty in Florida earlier than becoming a member of the highly effective Houston golf crew earlier than turning professional.

His spouse, Diane, died in 2021. Zoeller has three kids, together with daughter Gretchen, with whom he used to play within the PNC Championship. Zoeller was awarded the Bob Jones Award by the USGA in 1985, the group’s highest honor given for distinguished sportsmanship.