Fuzzy Zoeller won The Masters way back in 1979, after he overcame a six-shot deficit over the final round at Augusta National.

Incredibly, Zoeller is still the only player to win The Masters on his debut at the tournament.

Zoeller ended up emerging victorious from a three-man playoff against Tom Watson and Ed Sneed to win The Masters 46 years ago.

After his Augusta National triumph, the now 74-year-old went on to win his second major championship at the US Open in 1984 and ended his career with 10 PGA Tour titles to his name.

Given the fact that he won The Masters, you would think he’d be a huge fan of the golf course, but you’d be wrong.

In fact, numerous big names have complained about The Masters venue in recent years, with Gary Player labelling Augusta National as ‘not even a special golf course’.

And Zoeller had his own criticisms of Augusta way back in 1988.

He is the golfer who threatened to quit playing at The Masters

Interestingly, Zoeller suggested that Johnny Miller had ruined golf due to the historic 63 that he shot in the US Open at Oakmont in 1973.

He suggested that because of Miller’s fine round, golf courses had become too ‘tricked up’.

What made his critique more valid was that it wasn’t a case of sour grapes after a bad round.

Zoeller criticized Augusta National after shooting 66 on day two in 1988.

“It’s kind of funny to me, because golf is supposed to be a fun, enjoyable type game. To me, you don’t hear the roars of Augusta like you always heard. We’re losing something here. Hopefully, one of these days somebody will wake up around here and get us some nice surfaces to putt on,” Zoeller said.

Zoeller continued: “I hate golf to be tricked up. To me, it’s a fun game, and when they put the tricks like they’ve done to the greens out here, it’s no fun at all. It’s like a war out there. I’m about as competitive as you’ll get, but I’m gonna tell you something. It’s no fun to play golf with the greens like they are, as hard as they are and as fast as they are. It’s just total war.

“I thought when we first came here, the greens had a perfect speed. You could make downhill putts. That’s when (Jack) Nicklaus was making all of his great charges. Downhill putts, they had a chance. Now, where they put the pins, you don’t have a chance. You’re just tapping it. You’re praying that guys can get it within 8 or 10 feet of the hole, and maybe make a nice comeback.

“If that’s golf, I’m in the wrong damn league.”

“I think Johnny Miller’s the one who screwed the whole thing up. OK? Johnny Miller shot a tremendous round of golf on a very difficult golf course (Oakmont) at the U.S. Open one year (1973), and we’re still paying for it. People’s egos seem to get in the way, and it’s taking away from the golf game. You know exactly which egos I mean.

“I don’t care what Jack and Tom say. They’re not ones to complain, and that’s the reason certain things don’t get done around here. They just kind of take it, sit back and say, ‘Well, we’ve all gotta play it.’ Which is true. But somebody’s got to speak up, or it’s going to be a total joke for the guys 10 years down the road.

“If they don’t start listening to the players, one of these days the players aren’t gonna come. And I hate to say it, but we are the show.

“I’m glad I got to come in here and tell you how I feel. It’s time for somebody to write about it. Stand outside and listen. You don’t hear any roars. There used to be earth-shattering roars out there. I mean, the ground would shake. If I’m the one that’s gotta be the guinea pig to speak up and get this thing changed, well, so be it. I’ll be the guinea pig.

“I’m upset with what they’re doing to the game of golf. Period.”

It’s important to note that the greens have got even faster since Zoeller’s comments way back in 1988.

And it would be interesting to hear what the modern-day stars think about the green speeds at Augusta now.

Augusta National’s greens caused embarrassment for Tiger Woods in 2005

During his first round of The Masters in 2005, Tiger Woods endured utter embarrassment on the 13th green.

Woods hit two shots on the par-five 13th hole to within 15 feet of the pin before disaster struck.

The five-time masters champion proceeded to knock his eagle putt into Rae’s Creek from behind the hole.

He made a bogey six on the hole and went on to shoot a round of 74.

His mishap on the 13th hole highlighted just how quick the greens at Augusta National really are.

It’s no surprise that despite the hiccup on the 13th hole on day one, Woods still went on to win the Masters after triumphing in a playoff against Chris DiMarco.

After his opening round of 74, he carded rounds of 66, 65 and 71 to end the tournament on -12 par in what was a remarkable demonstration of determination and resilience.