The golfing world is mourning the loss of Frank 'Fuzzy' Zoeller, the charismatic American player who triumphed at both the US Masters and the US Open, who has died at the age of 74.
A Remarkable Start: Masters Glory on Debut
Zoeller's breakthrough on the grandest stage was nothing short of spectacular. In 1979, at the age of 27, he secured his first major victory at the US Masters in Augusta. This win was historic because it was his very first appearance in the tournament. He became the first player since 1935 to win the Masters on his debut, a feat that remains exceptionally rare.
The victory was sealed in a sudden-death playoff against the seasoned contenders Tom Watson and Ed Sneed. Zoeller clinched the title on the second extra hole, sinking a crucial six-foot putt for a birdie. In a moment of pure elation, he famously hurled his putter high into the air as the ball dropped into the cup.
Major Success and Unforgettable Moments
Five years later, Zoeller captured his second major at the 1984 US Open, held at the challenging Winged Foot course. This tournament is remembered for one of golf's most iconic and light-hearted moments. His rival, the Australian Greg Norman, holed a long putt on the 72nd hole. Watching from the fairway, Zoeller mistakenly believed Norman had taken the lead. In response, he waved a white towel in a gesture of mock surrender, much to the amusement of the crowd.
Norman's putt had only tied the scores, forcing an 18-hole playoff the next day. Zoeller dominated that playoff, winning by a commanding eight strokes. In a good-natured nod to the previous day's events, Norman himself waved a white towel on the 18th green.
Beyond his two major wins, Zoeller's career included eight other PGA Tour victories. He was also a runner-up at the 1981 USPGA Championship and finished third at The Open Championship at Turnberry in 1994. He represented the United States in three Ryder Cups (1979, 1983, 1985), though his record in the team event was modest.
Controversy and Later Career
Zoeller's reputation for easygoing humour backfired dramatically in 1997. As Tiger Woods was about to become the first black golfer to win the Masters, Zoeller, speaking off-the-cuff to a CNN journalist, made a joke that invoked racial stereotypes about the champions' dinner. He swiftly apologised, and Woods later stated he considered the matter closed. However, the incident significantly damaged Zoeller's public image and led to the loss of major sponsorships, which he described as a source of lasting anguish.
After his main tour career wound down—his last PGA Tour win was in 1986—Zoeller found success on the senior circuit. He joined the Champions Tour in 2002, winning the Senior PGA Championship that same year and the Mastercard Championship in 2004. He continued to play competitively until 2017.
Born in New Albany, Indiana, in 1951, Frank Urban Zoeller earned the nickname 'Fuzzy' from his initials. He turned professional in 1973 and was known for his quick pace of play and relaxed demeanour on the course, often whistling and engaging with spectators. He was awarded the USPGA's Bob Jones Award for sportsmanship in 1985.
Zoeller, whose wife Diane died in 2021, is survived by his four children: Sunnye, Heidi, Gretchen, and Miles.
