Fuzzy Zoeller

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.

Professional golfing career

Zoeller 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. It was the first sudden-death playoff at The Masters.

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.

Other pursuits

In 2009, Zoeller began selling vodka under the brand name Fuzzy's Vodka. 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.

Defamation lawsuit

On February 13, 2007, Zoeller sued Josef Silny & Associates, a foreign-credential evaluation firm based in Miami, Florida. The lawsuit alleged that defamatory statements appeared in the Wikipedia article about Zoeller in December 2006, originating from a computer at that firm. 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.

He died on November 27, 2025, at the age of 74.

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

Professional wins (19)

PGA Tour wins (10)

PGA Tour playoff record (2–2)

Other wins (4)

• 1985 Skins Game
• 1986 Skins Game
• 1987 Merrill Lynch Shoot-Out Championship
• 2003 Tylenol Par-3 Shootout

Champions Tour wins (2)

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)

1Defeated Sneed and Watson in a sudden-death playoff - Zoeller 4-3 (−1), Sneed 4-4 (E) and Watson 4-4 (E).

2Defeated Norman in an 18-hole playoff - Zoeller 67 (–3), Norman 75 (+5).

Results timeline

CUT = missed the halfway cut (3rd round cut in 1979 Open Championship)

"T" indicates a tie for a place.

Summary

• Most consecutive cuts made – 8 (1993 Masters – 1994 PGA)
• Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (twice)

Results in The Players Championship

CUT = missed the halfway cut

"T" indicates a tie for a place

Champions Tour major championships

Wins (1)

U.S. national team appearances

Professional

• Ryder Cup: 1979 (winners), 1983 (winners), 1985
• Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing Senior PGA Tour): 2001

Notes

References

References

1. Beall, Joel. (November 27, 2025). "Fuzzy Zoeller, two-time major champ, dies at 74".
2. "IHSAA Boys Golf State Champions". Indiana High School Athletic Association.
3. Livsey, Laury. (November 27, 2025). "Ten-time PGA Tour winner Fuzzy Zoeller dies at age 74". PGA of America.
4. (November 28, 2025). "Fuzzy Zoeller, golfer whose two victories in majors were eclipsed by remarks about Tiger Woods". The Telegraph.
5. Mason, Peter. (2025-12-01). "Fuzzy Zoeller obituary". [[The Guardian]].
6. (2025-04-14). "Only three rookies have ever won the Masters, Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979 being the last".
7. Hack, Damon. (2006-06-12). "The Shark, the Towel and the Wave". [[The New York Times]].
8. Verdi, Bob. (July 17, 1994). "Fittingly, Zoeller Thrives On Sunny Day At Turnberry". [[Chicago Tribune]].
9. (May 2020). "1979 Ryder Cup: Team Europe Debuts".
10. "Remember When: 1983 Ryder Cup". Ryder Cup.
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12. "Fuzzy's Vodka". Fuzzy's Vodka.
13. "Fuzzy's". Fuzzy's Vodka.
14. "2016 Indianapolis 500 Sponsors". Ed Carpenter Racing Team.
15. (February 22, 2007). "Golfer Zoeller sues law firm for Wikipedia posting". [[Miami Herald]].
16. (February 22, 2007). "Golfer Sues Over Vandalized Wikipedia Page".
17. (February 22, 2007). "Fuzzy teed off".
18. (February 22, 2007). "Zoeller sues to identify the author of a disputed entry on Wikipedia". PGA of America.
19. Zaharov-Reutt, Alex. (February 25, 2007). "Wikipedia entry causes pro-golfer Fuzzy Zoeller to sue".
20. "Zoeller v. Josef Silny & Associates". [[Digital Media Law Project]].
21. Beaumont, Claudine. (May 11, 2008). "Wikipedia fights defamation lawsuit". The Telegraph.
22. (27 November 2025). "Fuzzy Zoeller, 1984 U.S. Open Champion, Dies at 74". [[United States Golf Association]].
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24. (1985-07-21). "Meet the Magnificent Twenty". Hartford Courant.
25. (1992-06-03). "Old Capital Invitational List of Champions". The Corydon Democrat.
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35. (1983-05-16). "CBS misses Colbert's win, angers viewers". The Albuquerque Tribune.
36. Borden, Paul. (1984-06-19). "Zoeller joins fast crowd with U.S. Open Championship". USA Today.
37. (1994-10-31). "SPORTS". Florida Today.
38. Rosaforte, Tim. (1986-12-12). "Fuzzy's game is fun and making money". Poughkeepsie Journal.
39. Green, Bob. (1987-10-22). "Zoeller enjoys the game while it's rolling his way". San Antonio Light.
40. (2003-07-02). "Par 3 Shootout in Gaylord". The Bay City Times.
41. (2012). "73RD SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP". PGA.
42. (2004-01-26). "MasterCard Championship". The Windsor Star.
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44. (2008-02-25). "Wendy's Champions Skins Game". The Plain Dealer.
45. (2009-01-19). "Wendy's Champions Skins Game". The Daily Herald.
46. [[Associated Press]]. (1979-09-18). "U.S. wins Ryder Cup". Pacific Daily News.
47. (1983-10-17). "U.S. wins Ryder Cup". The Jackson Sun.
48. (1985-08-13). "Ryder Cup team". The Mobile Register.
49. (2001-10-25). "Golf Fans to Gather in Southern Nevada for Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge". San Francisco Chronicle.