President Donald Trump shared his reaction to the death of Fuzzy Zoeller, the two-time major champion long regarded as one of golf’s most charismatic figures. Zoeller was 74-years-old.
Brian Naugle, tournament director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, said Zoeller’s daughter called him Thursday to share the news.
Why It Matters
Zoeller long enjoyed a reputation as one of golf’s most personable and entertaining figures, but an incident at the 1997 Masters surrounding his remarks about a young Tiger Woods altered his public image.
What To Know
The president, an avid golfer and follower of the sport, posted on Truth Social, “Very sad to hear that the highly respected and beloved Professional Golfer, Fuzzy Zoeller, has passed away. In 1979, Fuzzy won the Masters Tournament (Only 1 of 3 to win in his first appearance!) and, in 1984, he won the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, and famously waved the white towel on the 18th Hole as he went on to beat Greg Norman in an 18 Hole playoff. A truly remarkable person and player, he will be missed!”
Zoeller was the last player to win the Masters in his first appearance, capturing the green jacket in a three-man playoff in 1979. Five years later at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, he famously waved a white towel in surrender when he thought Greg Norman had beaten him with a long putt on the 18th hole. Norman’s putt turned out to be only for par, and Zoeller went on to defeat him by eight shots in an 18-hole playoff the next day.
After finishing his round at the 1997 Maters, Zoeller was standing under the oak tree near the Augusta National clubhouse with a drink in hand when he was stopped by CNN for comment on 21-year-old Tiger Woods, who was closing in on a historic victory. Zoeller responded with remarks about Woods and the Champions Dinner menu that were widely condemned as racist.
“That little boy is driving well and he’s putting well. He’s doing everything it takes to win. 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?,” Zoeller said.
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.”
Zoeller apologized, though Woods did not address the comments for two weeks because he was traveling. Zoeller later said he received death threats for years. Writing in Golf Digest in 2008, he described the fallout as “the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life,” saying he cried often and regretted comments he said were made in jest but did not reflect who he was.
“Still, I’ve come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away,” he wrote.
The controversy overshadowed a career that included two major championships, eight other PGA Tour victories and a Senior PGA Championship among his two PGA Tour Champions wins. Known for playing quickly and with a relaxed demeanor, Zoeller often whistled between shots and remained a gallery favorite for much of his career.
His breakthrough at the 1979 Masters came in a playoff with Tom Watson and Ed Sneed, who bogeyed the final three holes to fall back into a tie. Zoeller won with a birdie on the second playoff hole, tossing his putter into the air in celebration.
I’ve never been to heaven, and thinking back on my life, I probably won’t get a chance to go,” Zoeller once said. “I guess winning the Masters is as close as I’m going to get.”
Born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. in New Albany, Indiana, he inherited the nickname “Fuzzy” from his father. He played junior college golf in Florida before joining the University of Houston’s powerhouse program and later turning professional.
Zoeller’s wife, Diane, died in 2021. He is survived by three children, including his daughter Gretchen, with whom he once competed in the PNC Championship. He received the USGA’s Bob Jones Award, its highest honor for sportsmanship, in 1985.
What People Are Saying
Mike Whan, the USGA CEO, said in a statement: “Fuzzy was one of a kind. 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.”
Jay Monahan, PGA TOUR Commissioner, said in a statement: “The PGA TOUR is saddened by the passing of Fuzzy Zoeller.
Fuzzy was a true original whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the game of golf. Fuzzy combined competitive excellence with a sense of humor that endeared him to fans and fellow players alike. We celebrate his remarkable legacy and extend our deepest condolences to his family.”
What Happens Next
A cause of death for Fuzzy Zoeller was not immediately available.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Updates: 11/27/25, 3:58 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
