Fuzzy Zoller, a two-time main champion and certainly one of golf’s most outgoing figures whose profession was tarnished by racist and insensitive jokes about Tiger Woods, has died, a longtime colleague introduced. He was 74 years outdated.
A explanation for loss of life was not instantly accessible. Brian Nogle, match director for the Insperity Invitational in Houston, mentioned Zoller’s daughter referred to as him Thursday with the information.
Zoller was the final participant to win the Masters in his first try, in a three-man playoff in 1979. At Winged Foot in 1984, he famously waved the white towel considering he had gained in opposition to Greg Norman, solely to lose to Norman in an 18-hole playoff the following day.
But it surely was the 1997 Masters that modified his reputation.
Woods was on the verge of a turning level within the golf world with essentially the most dominant victory in Augusta Nationwide historical past. Zoller had completed his spherical and was grabbing a drink beneath an oak tree by the clubhouse when he was stopped by CNN and requested for his ideas on the 21-year-old Woods, who was en path to essentially the most dominant victory in historical past at Augusta Nationwide.
“The child drives nicely, he places nicely. He does every part he can to win. So when he will get right here, you recognize what you guys do? You pat him on the again, congratulate him, have enjoyable, and inform him to not serve fried hen subsequent 12 months, okay?” Zueller mentioned.
He smiled and snapped his fingers, turning to depart and saying, “Or collard greens, or no matter they provide.”
That second caught with him for the remainder of his profession.
Zoller apologized. Woods was touring, nevertheless it took two weeks for him to remark because the controversy escalated. Zueller later mentioned that from that second on, she had obtained loss of life threats for years.
Writing for Golf Digest in 2008, he mentioned it was “the worst factor I’ve ever skilled in my life.”
“If anybody needs me to really feel the identical damage that I challenge onto others, I am right here to inform them that they have their means,” Zoller wrote. “I cried so many occasions. I apologized so many occasions that the phrases I mentioned in jest did not mirror who I used to be. I’ve lots of of pals, together with individuals of shade, who can attest to that.
“Nonetheless, I accepted the truth that this case would by no means go away.”
This ruined a profession full of two prestigious main titles, eight different PGA Tour titles, and one Senior PGA Championship amongst two PGA Tour Champion titles.
Greater than profitable, it was how he went about it. Though Zoller performed quick, he nonetheless had a carefree strategy to the sport, usually whistling between photographs.
He made his Masters debut in 1979 and was despatched right into a three-way playoff after Ed Snead bogeyed him on the ultimate three holes. Zoller hit his putter excessive on the second gap of the playoff and beat Snead and Tom Watson with a birdie.
“I’ve by no means been to heaven. Wanting again on my life, I in all probability will not have an opportunity to go to heaven,” Zoller as soon as mentioned. “I feel profitable the Masters may be very shut.”
Zoller went head-to-head with Norman at Winged Foot in ’84, taking part in within the again group and watching Norman make putt after putt. So when he noticed Norman hit a 40-footer on the 18th, he assumed he was going for birdie and, in an act of sportsmanship, began waving the white towel.
Solely later did he notice it was a par, and Zoller made it to take it to a playoff. Zoller defeated him by eight strokes in an 18-hole playoff (67-75). Zoller’s solely remorse was giving his little one a towel after regulation.
“In the event you see a unclean white towel hanging round, would you purchase it for me?” he as soon as mentioned.
He was born Frank City Zoller Jr. in New Albany, Indiana. Zoller mentioned his father was recognized solely as “Fuzzy” and that he was given the identical identify. He performed at a junior school in Florida earlier than becoming a member of the highly effective Houston golf staff and turning professional.
His spouse Diane handed away in 2021. Zoller has three kids, together with his daughter Gretchen, who performed with him within the PNC Championship. Zoller obtained the Bob Jones Award from the USGA in 1985, the group’s highest honor for excellent sportsmanship.
