Fuzzy Zoeller
Frank Urban "Fuzzy" Zoeller Jr. 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 (Indiana)|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.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.
File:Fuzzy Zoeller during the 1980 Memorial Tournament - DPLA - c89760682841665666591152d5e81184.jpg|thumb|Fuzzy Zoeller after hitting a shot off a tee during the first round of the 1980 Memorial Tournament at the Muirfield Village Golf Club
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, 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 shared the 54-hole lead in the 1994 Open Championship after a 3rd round of 64, but finished the tournament in 3rd place, his best-ever finish in The Open. Zoeller missed an birdie putt on the 18th green in his 3rd round at Turnberry which would have tied the record for the best single round at The Open.
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
- 1973 Old Capital Invitational
- 1973 Indiana State Amateur
Professional wins (19)
PGA Tour wins (10)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory | Runner-up | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Jan 28, 1979 | Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational | 76-67-67-72=282 | −6 | 5 strokes |  Other wins (4)
Champions Tour wins (2)
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