Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time main champion and one in every of golf’s most gregarious characters whose profession was tainted by a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods, has died aged 74.
A reason behind loss of life was not instantly obtainable. Brian Naugle, the match director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, mentioned Zoeller’s daughter known as him Thursday with the information.
Zoeller was the final participant to win the Masters on his first try, a three-man playoff in 1979.
Within the 1984 US Open at Winged Foot, Zoeller famously waved a white towel when he thought Greg Norman had beat him, solely to defeat Norman in an 18-hole playoff the following day.
Nevertheless it was the 1997 Masters that modified his reputation.
Woods was on his solution to a watershed second in golf with probably the most dominant victory in Augusta Nationwide historical past.
Zoeller had completed his spherical and had a drink in hand below the oak tree by the clubhouse when he was stopped by CNN and requested for his ideas on 21-year-old Woods.
“That little boy is driving effectively and he is placing effectively. He is doing all the things it takes to win. So, you understand what you guys do when he will get in right here? You pat him on the again and say congratulations and luxuriate in it and inform him not serve fried rooster subsequent 12 months. Acquired it?,” Zoeller mentioned.
The Champions Dinner, the place the defending Masters champion chooses the menu, is historically held on Tuesday at Augusta Nationwide, two days earlier than the opening spherical.
He smiled and snapped his fingers, and as he was strolling away he turned and mentioned, “Or collard greens or regardless of the hell they serve”.
That second haunted him the remainder of his profession.
Zoeller apologised. Woods was travelling and it took two weeks for him to remark because the controversy festered. Zoeller later mentioned he acquired loss of life threats for years after that second.
Writing for Golf Digest in 2008, he mentioned it was “the worst factor I’ve gone by means of in my total life”.
“If individuals wished me to really feel the identical harm I projected on others, I am right here to inform you they acquired their manner,” Zoeller wrote.
“I’ve cried many instances. I’ve apologised numerous instances for phrases mentioned in jest that simply aren’t a mirrored image of who I’m. I’ve a whole bunch of mates, together with individuals of color, who will attest to that.
“Nonetheless, I’ve come to phrases with the truth that this incident won’t ever, ever go away.”
It marred a profession full of two well-known main titles, eight different PGA Tour titles and a Senior PGA Championship amongst his two PGA Tour Champions titles.
Greater than profitable was how he went about it. Zoeller performed quick and nonetheless had an easygoing nature to the best way he approached the sport, typically whistling between pictures.
He made his Masters debut in 1979 and acquired right into a three-way playoff when Ed Sneed bogeyed the final three holes. Zoeller defeated Sneed and Tom Watson with a birdie on the second playoff gap, flinging his putter excessive within the air.
“I’ve by no means been to heaven, and considering again on my life, I most likely will not get an opportunity to go,” Zoeller as soon as mentioned.
“I assume profitable the Masters is as shut as I will get.”
Zoeller was locked in a duel with Norman at Winged Foot within the 1984 US Open, enjoying within the group behind and watching Norman make putt after putt. So when he noticed Norman make a 40-footer on the 18th, he assumed it was for birdie and commenced waving a white towel in a second of sportsmanship.
Solely later did he realise it was for par, and Zoeller made par to pressure a playoff. Zoeller beat him by eight pictures within the 18-hole playoff (67-75). Zoeller’s lone remorse was giving the towel to a child after he completed in regulation.
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“In the event you occur to see a grungy white towel hanging round, get it for me, will you?” he as soon as mentioned.
He was born Frank City Zoeller Jr in New Albany, Indiana.
Zoeller mentioned his father was recognized solely as “Fuzzy” and he was given the identical title. He performed at a junior faculty in Florida earlier than becoming a member of the highly effective Houston golf workforce earlier than turning professional.
Zoeller was awarded the Bob Jones Award by the USGA in 1985, the organisation’s highest honour given for distinguished sportsmanship.
AP/Reuters
