Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time major golf champion known for his charismatic personality and significant achievements, has passed away at 74. His illustrious career, marked by a Masters debut win and other PGA Tour victories, was also forever linked to a racially insensitive remark made about Tiger Woods in 1997, which he deeply regretted.
Fuzzy Zoeller, the beloved and often controversial two-time major golf champion, has died at the age of 74. Zoeller made history as the last player to win the Masters on his first attempt in 1979, triumphing in a three-man playoff. He also famously waved a white towel at Greg Norman in the 1984 U.S. Open, believing Norman had won, only to defeat him in an 18-hole playoff the following day. Beyond his major wins, he secured eight other PGA Tour titles and two PGA Tour Champions victories, including the Senior PGA Championship. However, Zoeller's legacy was significantly overshadowed by a racially insensitive joke he made about Tiger Woods during the 1997 Masters. After Woods' historic victory, Zoeller told CNN, 'You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not serve fried chicken next year. Got it? Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.' This comment sparked immense controversy, leading to death threats and profound personal distress for Zoeller, who later described it as 'the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life.' Despite his repeated apologies and assertions that the words did not reflect his true character, he recognized that the incident would 'never, ever go away.' Zoeller, known for his fast pace of play and whistling on the course, was honored with the USGA's Bob Jones Award for sportsmanship in 1985. Born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr., he is survived by his three children; his wife, Diane, passed away in 2021.
