The golf world is mourning the death of Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time major champion and one of the sport’s most charismatic figures, whose life on the course shined brightly — and whose reputation off it was marked by a single remark that followed him for nearly three decades. Zoeller died at the age of 74, according to longtime colleague Brian Naugle, tournament director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston.

His cause of death has not yet been disclosed, Naugle said, adding that he received a call from Zoeller’s daughter with the news.

A Champion with Unmatched Early Brilliance

Zoeller remains etched in golf history as the last player to win the Masters Tournament on his first attempt — a stunning three-man playoff victory in 1979 that immediately elevated him to fan-favorite status. Known for his humor, friendliness, and ease under pressure, he embodied the rare combination of competitive fire and showmanship.

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His legacy of iconic moments only grew. In the 1984 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, Zoeller famously waved a white towel in jest, believing he had been beaten by Greg Norman. What followed was one of golf’s greatest turnarounds — Zoeller regrouped, outplayed Norman in the 18-hole playoff, and secured another career-defining triumph.

But 1997 Changed Everything

For all of Zoeller’s success, it was 1997 — and the arrival of a 21-year-old phenom named Tiger Woods — that transformed his public image forever.

Woods was in the midst of producing the most dominant performance in Masters history. While relaxing under the oak tree at Augusta National with a drink in hand, Zoeller was stopped for a brief CNN interview. What he said next turned into one of the biggest controversies in golf.

Speaking about Woods, he remarked:

“That little boy is driving well and he’s putting well… You pat him on the back, say congratulations, and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year… or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve.”

The comments — widely condemned as racially insensitive — sparked outrage that intensified as Woods continued his historic rise. Zoeller apologized, but the damage was irreversible.

Woods, traveling at the time, waited nearly two weeks before responding publicly, allowing the controversy to swirl without his voice. Zoeller later said the backlash led to years of harassment, including death threats, a burden he admitted followed him long after his competitive days.

A Complicated Legacy

Zoeller’s career cannot be summarized by one moment — yet that moment remains inseparable from his name. While he continued to play on the PGA Tour Champions and remained a popular figure in certain circles, the 1997 comment defined his public narrative in a way he never escaped.

Many in the golf world saw Zoeller as a naturally warm personality — a man who loved the sport, the fans, and the camaraderie it brought. Others viewed him through the lens of the Woods incident, questioning whether the game had sufficiently confronted the racial undertones embedded in its history.

A Final Reflection on a Polarizing Figure

As tributes pour in, the conversation surrounding Fuzzy Zoeller is expectedly nuanced. Was he a brilliant competitor? Yes. A pioneer with two majors and a flair for the dramatic? Absolutely. But he was also a reminder of a moment when golf faced a painful cultural reckoning — one sparked by the arrival of Tiger Woods, who went on to become the most influential golfer the world has ever seen.

Zoeller exits the world leaving behind a legacy that is both shimmering and shadowed, a reminder that sports heroes, like all people, carry triumph and tragedy in unequal proportions.

And in the halls of Augusta, Winged Foot, and beyond, the debates about his impact — and his mistakes — will continue.