Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time major champion who was known for his humor but sparked a firestorm with a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods, has died at the age of 74, the PGA Tour said Thursday.
“The PGA Tour is saddened by the passing of Fuzzy Zoeller,” commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. “Fuzzy was a true original whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the game of golf.” No cause of death was disclosed.
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Zoeller remains the last man to win the Masters in his first attempt, triumphing at Augusta National in a three-way playoff in 1979. He beat Australian Greg Norman in a playoff at Winged Foot to take the 1984 US Open — not before waving a white towel in mock surrender when he erroneously thought Norman had seized the lead with a birdie at the final hole of regulation. In fact, Norman had made par, and Zoeller calmly forced the 18-hole decider.
Beloved by fans for his gregarious nature and light-hearted approach, Zoeller was plunged into controversy in 1997 as 21-year-old rising star Woods was marching to a stunning victory in the Masters. Asked to comment, Zoeller told CNN that “that little boy” was playing well. “Tell him not to serve fried chicken next year …or collard greens or whatever they serve,” he added in a reference to the champions’ dinner. Zoeller apologized, but said he received death threats for years. In 2008 he wrote in Golf Digest that it was “the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life.”
“If people wanted me to feel the same hurt I projected on others, I’m here to tell you they got their way,” he wrote, adding that he “cried many times” over the remarks that he said were a misguided attempt at humor. “Still, I’ve come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away.”
Zoeller, born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. in New Albany, Indiana, on November 11, 1951, turned professional in 1973 after playing college golf at Edison Junior College and the University of Houston. In addition to his two major victories, he won eight other PGA Tour titles. He won twice on the Champions Tour and played for the United States in three Ryder Cups.
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