Frank “Fuzzy” Zoeller, the last player to win the Masters on his first attempt in 1979, saw his legacy forever linked to a racially insensitive comment he made about Tiger Woods during the 1997 Masters. As Woods prepared to claim his first major dominantly, Zoeller was asked for his thoughts on the 21-year-old’s breakthrough.
Under the oak tree by the Augusta National clubhouse, Zoeller told CNN, “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! Enjoy it!’ and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it?” He added, “Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”
The remark immediately sparked backlash, with critics condemning it as racist. Zoeller later apologised, expressing deep regret for his words and acknowledging the pain they caused.
Woods, travelling at the time, responded two weeks later, saying the incident left him “very disappointed.” The fallout for Zoeller was severe; he lost major sponsorship deals, received death threats, and faced public condemnation for years afterwards.
Zoeller, in later years, admitted the incident was “the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life,” saying he had cried many times and apologised repeatedly. Despite his remorse and a long career filled with major titles, including the Masters and U.S. Open, the controversy continued to overshadow his achievements.
He reflected that the incident “will never, ever go away” and acknowledged that it forever altered his popularity and legacy in the sport.
Zoeller’s story remains a stark reminder of how one comment can have lasting consequences, both personally and professionally, even in the world of sports.
