Fuzzy Zoeller

Frank Urban "Fuzzy" Zoeller Jr. (; November 11, 1951 – November 27, 2025) was an American professional golfer who won 10 PGA Tour events including two major championships. He won the 1979 Masters Tournament, becoming the third golfer to win in his first appearance in the event. He also won the 1984 U.S. Open.

Early life and amateur career Zoeller was born and raised in New Albany, Indiana. While attending New Albany High School, he was a star golfer, finishing as the runner-up in the 1970 state high school tournament with a state record low round (67).

After graduating high school, he attended Edison Junior College in Florida, transferred to the University of Houston in Texas, and became a professional golfer in 1973.

In 1979, Zoeller became the first golfer since 1935 to win The Masters in his first appearance in the event. Zoeller won both of his two major tournaments in playoffs: the Masters in 1979 at Augusta National Golf Club in a three-way sudden-death playoff with Ed Sneed and Tom Watson; and the 1984 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club after an 18-hole playoff with Greg Norman.

For much of his career, Zoeller was famous for waving a white towel in mock surrender from the fairway of the 72nd hole of the 1984 U.S. Open, after Greg Norman holed a long putt on the 72nd green to tie Zoeller for the tournament lead. At the end of the 18-hole playoff the next day between Norman and Zoeller (which Zoeller won by 8 strokes), Norman waved a white towel himself, returning the joke.

Zoeller was voted the 1985 winner of the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.

He competed in the 1979, 1983, and 1985 Ryder Cups. In 2002, he joined the Champions Tour and won the Senior PGA Championship, a senior major, that year. He also won the 2004 MasterCard Championship. Starting in 2012, the brand sponsored Ed Carpenter Racing's entries in the IndyCar Series.

Controversies and legal issues In 1997, during the 1997 Masters Tournament, Zoeller was asked about Tiger Woods and responded, "Tell him not to serve fried chicken next year...or collard greens or whatever they serve". The remarks were condemned as racist, and this incident haunted Zoeller for the rest of his life. According to the suit, the edits suggested Zoeller had committed acts including alcohol, drug, and domestic abuse. Defendant Josef Silny said a computer consultant would investigate. However, Zoeller dropped the lawsuit in December 2007 after being unsuccessful in finding the poster. Zoeller was unable to sue Wikipedia for the statements due to protections accorded to providers of "interactive computer services" under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Personal life and death Zoeller was married to Diane, who died in 2021. He had four children.

Awards and honors In 1985, he was awarded the Bob Jones Award by the United States Golf Association.

Amateur wins 1972 Florida State Junior College Championship (individual) 1973 Old Capital Invitational (Indiana) 1973 Indiana State Amateur

Masters Tournament

Playoff Ed Sneed, Tom Watson

Colonial National Invitation

4 strokes Hale Irwin

Sea Pines Heritage

2 strokes Jim Nelford

Panasonic Las Vegas Pro Celebrity Classic

4 strokes Rex Caldwell

U.S. Open

Playoff Greg Norman

Hertz Bay Hill Classic

2 strokes Tom Watson

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

5 strokes Payne Stewart

Sea Pines Heritage (2)

1 stroke Chip Beck, Roger Maltbie, Greg Norman

1983 Colonial National Invitation Jim Colbert Lost to par on sixth extra hole

1984 U.S. Open Greg Norman Won 18-hole playoff;Zoeller: −3 (67),Norman: +5 (75)

1994 Tour Championship Mark McCumber Lost to birdie on first extra hole Other wins (4) 1985 Skins Game 1986 Skins Game 2003 Tylenol Par-3 Shootout

Champions Tour wins (2) LegendSenior major championships (1)Other Champions Tour (1)

Other senior wins (3) 2002 Senior Slam 2008 Wendy's Champions Skins Game (with Peter Jacobsen) 2009 Wendy's Champions Skins Game (with Ben Crenshaw)

Major championships

Wins (2) Year !!Championship !!54 holes !!Winning score !!To par !!Margin !!Runner(s)-up !!

Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing Senior PGA Tour): 2001