Fuzzy Zoeller, the two-time major champion and 10-time winner on the PGA Tour, has died, the United States Golf Association said Thursday. He was 74. The USGA did not provide a cause or say when he died.
“Fuzzy was one of a kind,” USGA CEO Mike Whan said in a statement. “We are grateful for all he gave to golf. I hope we can all remember his unmistakable joy. The USGA is sending our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan called Zoeller “a true original whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the game of golf,” adding that Zoeller “combined competitive excellence with a sense of humor that endeared him to fans and fellow players alike.”
Born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr., he acquired the nickname “Fuzzy” from the first three letters of his given names. Zoeller played college golf at the University of Houston and turned professional in 1973, beginning a career that produced 10 PGA Tour victories and two titles on what is now the PGA Tour Champions.
Zoeller’s breakthrough came at Augusta National in 1979, his first Masters appearance. He finished tied with Tom Watson and Ed Sneed and won the tournament on the second hole of sudden death when he sank a six-foot birdie putt. He was the first player to win the Masters in his debut since Gene Sarazen in 1935.
At Winged Foot in 1984 Zoeller prevailed in another major playoff, this time over Greg Norman in an 18-hole playoff at the U.S. Open. The 32-year-old shot a 67 to defeat Norman by eight strokes. Zoeller also placed second in the 1981 PGA Championship and finished third at The Open Championship in 1994.
Later in his career he found success on the senior circuit, including a victory at the 2022 Senior PGA Championship. The USGA honored him with the Bob Jones Award for sportsmanship in 1985, recognizing his contributions to the game.
Zoeller’s legacy was complicated by a racially charged remark he made in 1997 about Tiger Woods at the Masters. The comment drew widespread criticism and followed him for years. Zoeller apologized repeatedly, writing in Golf Digest in 1998 that he had “apologized countless times for words said in jest that just aren’t a reflection of who I am” and acknowledging the incident would never fully disappear.
Known for his quick wit and flamboyant celebrations, Zoeller remained a visible figure in golf through broadcasting and appearances. He is survived by four children and several grandchildren. His wife, Diane, whom he was married to for 45 years, died in 2021.
The PGA Tour and other organizations posted remembrances on social media and paid tribute to Zoeller’s contributions to the sport and his rapport with fans and fellow players.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
