Fuzzy Zoeller Dies: Golf Legend with a Controversial Past

Fuzzy Zoeller, a prominent golfer and champion in two major tournaments, has passed away. The news was confirmed by a close colleague. Zoeller, known for his charisma, was 74 years old. So far, the cause of his death has not been revealed. Brian Naugle, director of the Insperity Invitational tournament in Houston, reported that Zoeller’s daughter communicated the sad news to him on Thursday. Zoeller achieved a historic victory at the 1979 Masters, being the last player to win this prestigious tournament on his first attempt, after an exciting three-way playoff. In 1984, at Winged Foot, he starred in a memorable moment by waving a white towel, believing that Greg Norman had surpassed him. However, in the end, Zoeller prevailed over Norman in an 18-hole playoff. But, without a doubt, the 1997 Masters marked a before and after in his career. In that tournament, Tiger Woods was on the verge of achieving a dominant victory, a milestone in golf history. Zoeller, after finishing his round, was approached by a media outlet and asked for his opinion on Woods, 21 years old, who was on his way to an unprecedented victory at Augusta National.

“That boy is playing well and is putting well. He’s doing everything necessary to win. So, you know what you do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and tell him congratulations and enjoy it, and don’t serve fried chicken next year. Got it?”, said Zoeller.

Fuzzy Zoeller

He smiled and snapped his fingers, and as he walked away, he turned and added: “Or greens or whatever they serve.” This incident haunted him for the rest of his career. Zoeller publicly apologized. Woods took two weeks to respond due to a trip, while the controversy grew. Zoeller later revealed he had received death threats for years as a result of this event. In 2008, in a publication, Zoeller expressed that it had been “the worst thing I’ve ever been through in my entire life.”

“If people wanted me to feel the same pain I projected onto others, I’m here to tell them they succeeded,” Zoeller wrote. “I’ve cried many times. I’ve apologized countless times for words said in jest that simply don’t reflect who I am. I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who can attest to that.”

Fuzzy Zoeller

“Even so, I have resigned myself to the fact that this incident will never, ever disappear.” This episode tarnished a career full of successes, including two major titles, eight additional PGA Tour titles, and a PGA Tour Champions championship.

Beyond his victories, Zoeller was characterized by his fast pace of play and his relaxed attitude, often whistling between strokes. In his Masters debut in 1979, he managed to enter a three-way playoff after Ed Sneed missed the last three holes. Zoeller beat Sneed and Tom Watson with a birdie on the second playoff hole, throwing his putter in the air in a sign of victory. “I’ve never been to heaven, and thinking about my life, I probably won’t get the chance to go,” Zoeller once said. “I guess winning the Masters is the closest I’m going to get.” In 1984, at Winged Foot, Zoeller was in a duel with Norman, playing in the trailing group and watching Norman sink putt after putt. Seeing Norman make a 40-foot putt on the 18th hole, he assumed it was for birdie and began waving a white towel in a gesture of sportsmanship. Later he realized it was for par, and Zoeller made par to force a playoff. Zoeller beat him by eight strokes in the 18-hole playoff (67-75). Zoeller’s only regret was giving his towel to a child after finishing the round. “If you see a dirty white towel over there, get it for me, okay?” he once said. Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. was born in New Albany, Indiana. His father was known as “Fuzzy”, and he inherited that nickname. Before turning professional, he played at a community college in Florida and then was part of the outstanding Houston golf team. His wife, Diane, passed away in 2021. Zoeller had three children, including his daughter Gretchen, with whom he used to play in the PNC Championship. In 1985, Zoeller received the Bob Jones Award from the USGA, the organization’s highest honor for his outstanding sportsmanship.