Fuzzy Zoeller, who beat Greg Norman to win 1984 US Open playoff, dies

[ad_1] Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time main champion and one in all golf's most gregarious characters whose profession was tainted by a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods, has died aged 74.

A explanation for loss of life was not instantly accessible. Brian Naugle, the event director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, mentioned Zoeller's daughter known as him Thursday with the information.

Zoeller was the final participant to win the Masters on his first try, a three-man playoff in 1979.

Within the 1984 US Open at Winged Foot, Zoeller famously waved a white towel when he thought Greg Norman had beat him, solely to defeat Norman in an 18-hole playoff the subsequent day.

Nevertheless it was the 1997 Masters that modified his recognition.

Woods was on his solution to a watershed second in golf with essentially the most dominant victory in Augusta Nationwide historical past.

Zoeller had completed his spherical and had a drink in hand underneath the oak tree by the clubhouse when he was stopped by CNN and requested for his ideas on 21-year-old Woods.

"That little boy is driving effectively and he is placing effectively. He is doing all the things it takes to win. So, you already know what you guys do when he will get in right here? You pat him on the again and say congratulations and luxuriate in it and inform him not serve fried rooster subsequent 12 months. Obtained it?," Zoeller mentioned.

The Champions Dinner, the place the defending Masters champion chooses the menu, is historically held on Tuesday at Augusta Nationwide, two days earlier than the opening spherical.

He smiled and snapped his fingers, and as he was strolling away he turned and mentioned, "Or collard greens or regardless of the hell they serve".

That second haunted him the remainder of his profession.

Zoeller apologised. Woods was travelling and it took two weeks for him to remark because the controversy festered. Zoeller later mentioned he obtained loss of life threats for years after that second.

Writing for Golf Digest in 2008, he mentioned it was "the worst factor I've gone by means of in my whole life".

"If folks needed me to really feel the identical damage I projected on others, I am right here to inform you they bought their means," Zoeller wrote.

"I've cried many instances. I've apologised numerous instances for phrases mentioned in jest that simply aren't a mirrored image of who I'm. I've a whole bunch of buddies, together with folks of color, who will attest to that.

"Nonetheless, I've come to phrases with the truth that this incident won't ever, ever go away."

It marred a profession stuffed with two well-known main titles, eight different PGA Tour titles and a Senior PGA Championship amongst his two PGA Tour Champions titles.

Greater than successful was how he went about it. Zoeller performed quick and nonetheless had an easygoing nature to the way in which he approached the sport, usually whistling between photographs.

He made his Masters debut in 1979 and bought right into a three-way playoff when Ed Sneed bogeyed the final three holes. Zoeller defeated Sneed and Tom Watson with a birdie on the second playoff gap, flinging his putter excessive within the air.

"I've by no means been to heaven, and pondering again on my life, I in all probability will not get an opportunity to go," Zoeller as soon as mentioned.

"I assume successful the Masters is as shut as I will get."

Zoeller was locked in a duel with Norman at Winged Foot within the 1984 US Open, taking part in within the group behind and watching Norman make putt after putt. So when he noticed Norman make a 40-footer on the 18th, he assumed it was for birdie and commenced waving a white towel in a second of sportsmanship.

Solely later did he realise it was for par, and Zoeller made par to power a playoff. Zoeller beat him by eight photographs within the 18-hole playoff (67-75). Zoeller's lone remorse was giving the towel to a child after he completed in regulation.

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"In case you occur to see a grungy white towel hanging round, get it for me, will you?" he as soon as mentioned.

He was born Frank City Zoeller Jr in New Albany, Indiana.

Zoeller mentioned his father was recognized solely as "Fuzzy" and he was given the identical identify. He performed at a junior school in Florida earlier than becoming a member of the highly effective Houston golf group earlier than turning professional.