Fuzzy Zoeller Passes Away: Golf Legend with a Bittersweet Legacy

Fuzzy Zoeller, a renowned golf champion known for his charisma, has passed away at the age of 74, according to a close colleague. His sporting career was marked by an incident that generated controversy. The cause of his death was not immediately revealed. Brian Naugle, director of the Insperity Invitational tournament in Houston, communicated that the news was conveyed to him by Zoeller’s daughter on Thursday. Zoeller achieved a remarkable victory at the 1979 Masters, being the last player to win this tournament in his first participation, after an exciting three-way playoff. He is also remembered for his gesture in 1984 at Winged Foot, where, believing that Greg Norman had surpassed him, he waved a white towel, only to then defeat Norman in a playoff the next day. However, a moment at the 1997 Masters changed his public image. Tiger Woods was on the verge of achieving a historic victory at Augusta National. After completing his round, Zoeller was approached by a media outlet and asked for his opinion on Woods, 21, who was on his way to a dominant victory.

That little guy 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 say congratulations and enjoy it and don’t serve fried chicken next year. Understood?

Fuzzy Zoeller

Zoeller smiled and snapped his fingers, adding as he walked away: “Or greens or whatever they serve.” That comment haunted him for the rest of his career. Zoeller apologized. Woods, who was traveling, took two weeks to respond to the controversy that arose. Zoeller later stated that he received death threats for years. In an interview in 2008, Zoeller expressed that it was “the worst thing I’ve 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.” Despite this, I have accepted the fact that this incident will never, ever disappear.” This episode tarnished a career full of successes, including two Grand Slam titles, eight PGA Tour titles and a PGA Senior Championship among his two PGA Tour Champions titles.

Zoeller was known for his fast play and relaxed attitude, often whistling between strokes. His Masters debut was in 1979, where he reached a three-way playoff. He 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 1984, at Winged Foot, Zoeller was in a duel with Norman. Seeing Norman make a 40-foot putt on the 18th hole, he assumed it was for birdie and began to wave a white towel in a sporting gesture. Only then did he realize it was for par, and Zoeller made par to force a tiebreaker, which he won by eight strokes. Born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. in New Albany, Indiana, Zoeller was known as “Fuzzy”, the same nickname as his father. 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 distinguished sportsmanship.