Fuzzy Zoeller, Golf Champion with a Career Marked by Controversy

Fuzzy Zoeller, a prominent golfer and champion in two major tournaments, has passed away, according to a close colleague. He was 74 years old. The cause of his death was not immediately revealed. Brian Naugle, director of the Insperity Invitational tournament in Houston, communicated that Zoeller’s daughter informed him of the death on Thursday. Zoeller was notable for being the last player to win the Masters on his first attempt, achieving victory in a three-way playoff in 1979. He is also remembered for his gesture at Winged Foot in 1984, when he waved a white towel believing that Greg Norman had overtaken him, although he later defeated Norman in an 18-hole playoff the next day. However, a moment at the 1997 Masters marked a turning point in his popularity. Tiger Woods was on the verge of achieving a historic victory at Augusta National. Zoeller, after finishing his round, was approached by CNN to give his opinion on Woods, 21 years old, who was heading towards a dominant victory.

“That boy is playing well and is putting well. He’s doing everything he needs 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 tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it?”, said Zoeller.

Fuzzy Zoeller

Zoeller smiled and snapped his fingers, then added: “Or kale or whatever they serve.” That comment haunted him for the rest of his career. Zoeller apologized. Woods took two weeks to respond because he was traveling, while the controversy grew. Zoeller revealed that he received death threats for years after that incident. In a 2008 article, Zoeller wrote that it was “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. 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

Despite this, Zoeller accepted that this incident would never disappear. This episode tarnished a career filled with achievements, including two major titles, eight PGA Tour titles, and a PGA Senior Championship between his two PGA Tour Champions titles.

Zoeller was known for his fast play and relaxed attitude, often whistling between shots. His Masters debut was in 1979, where he reached a three-way playoff after Ed Sneed faltered on the final three holes. Zoeller defeated Sneed and Tom Watson with a birdie on the second playoff hole. “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 the duel with Norman at Winged Foot in 1984, Zoeller, playing in the back group, watched Norman make 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.

Only then did he realize it was for par, and Zoeller made par to force a tiebreaker. Zoeller beat him by eight strokes in the 18-hole playoff (67-75). Zoeller’s only regret was having given his towel to a child after finishing the regular round.

“If you see a dirty white towel around there, get it for me, will you?” he said on one occasion. Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. was born in New Albany, Indiana. His father was known as “Fuzzy”, and he received the same nickname. He played at a junior college in Florida before joining the Houston golf team before turning professional. 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. Zoeller was awarded the Bob Jones Award by the USGA in 1985, the organization’s highest honor for his outstanding sportsmanship.