Golf legend Fuzzy Zoeller has passed away at the age of 74. The two-time major winner, who famously claimed titles at the Masters and the U.S. Open died on November 27.
Fellow golf great Gary Player took to X on Tuesday, December 2, to share a touching tribute, writing:
“What a marvelous man Fuzzy Zoeller was. He always chose to give joy rather than look for it. That is the mark of a great person, and Fuzzy embodied it every single day. Whenever we were together, we laughed as if we were a couple of schoolboys. Just laughed all the time. He had a rare gift that he could make a room lighter simply by walking into it.
I am certain he already has a special place in heaven, and knowing Fuzzy, he’s probably telling everyone how to smile a little bigger and laugh a little louder. What a privilege it was to call him a friend. Rest well, Fuzzy. You made us all better, and certainly, happier. GP”
What a marvelous man Fuzzy Zoeller was. He always chose to give joy rather than look for it. That is the mark of a great person, and Fuzzy embodied it every single day. Whenever we were together, we laughed as if we were a couple of schoolboys. Just laughed all the time. He had a
Frank Urban “Fuzzy” Zoeller was born on November 11, 1951, in New Albany, Indiana. He got his nickname from his initials and started playing golf at the age of three, entering his first competitive tournament when he was five. He stayed close to his Indiana roots throughout his life.
Zoeller made history in 1979 by winning the Masters in a playoff on his first attempt becoming the first player to do so since 1935 and the last to date. He also beat Greg Norman in a playoff to win the 1984 U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Over his career, he won 10 PGA Tour titles.
Jay Monahan mourns Fuzzy Zoeller’s passing
The PGA Tour expressed its sadness over the death of Fuzzy Zoeller highlighting the impact he had on the game both on and off the course. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan remembered Zoeller.
“The PGA TOUR is saddened by the passing of Fuzzy Zoeller. Fuzzy was a true original whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the game of golf,” Jay Monahan said.
“Fuzzy combined competitive excellence with a sense of humor that endeared him to fans and fellow players alike. We celebrate his remarkable legacy and extend our deepest condolences to his family.”
Zoellar rose to prominence in the 1970s and was honored with the 1985 Bob Jones Award for his contributions to golf. The Indiana native had undergone triple-bypass surgery with a valve replacement in 2019.
Earlier this week, on Thanksgiving morning, his heart stopped for the final time. According to his son-in-law, Chase Wright, Zoeller’s passing was linked to cardiac arrest and the grief of losing his wife, Diane, to Alzheimer’s in 2021. (via Golfweek)