Golf world rocked as Masters and US Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller dies suddenly
The golfing world is in mourning after a legendary player and character passed away, with Donald Trump leading the tributes for the golf icon.
Masters and US Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller has died aged 74.
President Donald Trump paid his tributes to one of golf’s most popular names who had won 10 PGA Tour titles, including two majors at the 1979 Masters and the 1984 US Open.
Zoeller’s cause of death is currently unknown, The Sun reports.
His friend Brian Naugle, the tournament director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, said Zoeller’s daughter called him Thursday with the news.
Paying tribute, Trump, who is a big golf fan and loves to play the sport, said: “Very sad to hear that the highly respected and beloved Professional Golfer, Fuzzy Zoeller, has passed away.
“A truly remarkable person and player, he will be missed!”
Mike Whan, the USGA CEO, said: “Fuzzy was one of a kind.
“We are grateful for all he gave to golf. I hope we can all remember his unmistakeable joy.
“The USGA is sending our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr in New Albany, Indiana, Zoeller was a successful golfer since his high school days.
After completing his high school career, he attended the University of Houston before becoming a professional golfer in 1973. In 1979, he became the last golfer to win The Masters in his first appearance in the event.
And in 1985, he was voted the winner of the Bob Jones Award, the highest honour given by the United States Golf Association.
During the 1997 Masters, Zoeller made a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods that marred his impressive career.
Woods was on his way to a watershed moment in golf with the most dominant victory in Augusta National history.
Zoeller was praising the performance in a CNN interview when he ended it by saying: “So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it, and tell him not serve fried chicken next year. Got it?”
He smiled and snapped his fingers, and as he was walking away, he turned and said: “Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”
Even though Zoeller apologised, the moment haunted him for the rest of his career.
The two-time Majors champion later said he received death threats for years after that moment.
Speaking to Golf Digest in 2008, he said it was the “worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life.
“I’ve cried many times. I’ve apologised countless times for words said in jest that just aren’t a reflection of who I am.
“I have hundreds of friends, including people of colour, who will attest to that.
“Still, I’ve come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away.”
Zoeller finished his career with 19 global wins and was a member of three Ryder Cup teams.
He is survived by his three children, including daughter Gretchen, with whom he used to play in the PNC Championship.
His wife, Diane, died in 2021.
– This article was originally published by The Sun and was republished with permission
Originally published as Golf world rocked as Masters and US Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller dies suddenly
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