The golfing world is mourning the loss of Frank Urban 'Fuzzy' Zoeller Jr., a two-time major champion who has died at the age of 74. The sad news was confirmed by Brian Naugle, tournament director of the Insperity Invitational, who received a call from Zoeller's daughter on Thursday.
Zoeller, whose wife Diane passed away in 2021, leaves behind a complex legacy defined by spectacular triumphs on the course and a career forever marked by a racially insensitive comment made about Tiger Woods.
A Storied Career and Famous Rivalry
Zoeller's place in golf history was secured early when he became the last player to win the Masters on his first attempt in 1979. In a dramatic three-man playoff against Ed Sneed and Tom Watson, Zoeller sealed his victory with a birdie on the second playoff hole, famously flinging his putter into the air in celebration.
His career was intrinsically linked with Australian great Greg Norman, with whom he shared a friendly but fierce rivalry. This rivalry reached its zenith at the 1984 US Open at Winged Foot. Believing Norman had holed a winning putt on the 72nd hole, Zoeller sportsmanlike waved a white towel in surrender. It turned out the putt was merely for par, forcing an 18-hole playoff which Zoeller won decisively by eight strokes.
The white towel became a symbol of their mutual respect, resurfacing a decade later when Zoeller jokingly used one to wipe sweat from Norman's brow after the Australian set a course record to win the 1994 Players Championship.
The Tiger Woods Controversy That Changed Everything
While Zoeller's career was filled with highlights, his popularity was severely damaged during the 1997 Masters. After completing his round, Zoeller was asked for his thoughts on the 21-year-old Tiger Woods, who was dominating the tournament.
In a moment that would haunt him forever, Zoeller made a racially charged joke, suggesting that Woods should not have 'fried chicken' or 'collard greens' served at the champions' dinner the following year. Despite issuing an apology, the incident sparked widespread outrage.
Zoeller later revealed he received death threats for years and described the fallout as 'the worst thing I've gone through in my entire life'. He wrote in Golf Digest that he had 'cried many times' and that the incident would 'never, ever go away'.
An Enduring Legacy in Golf
Beyond his two major titles, Zoeller claimed eight other PGA Tour victories and a Senior PGA Championship. He was awarded the USGA's Bob Jones Award in 1985, its highest honour for distinguished sportsmanship, a testament to how he was viewed by his peers for much of his career.
Tributes have poured in from the golf community, including from John Daly, who posted on social media: 'To a best friend and a father figure who helped me a ton in my life... I'll miss you beyond words. Rest in Peace Fuzzy.'
Zoeller is survived by his three children, including his daughter Gretchen, with whom he frequently partnered in the PNC Championship. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
