Golfer Fuzzy Zoeller: victories and controversies, tragedy and family ties

Fuzzy Zoeller was an American professional golfer, best known for his victories at the Masters Tournament in 1979 and the U.S. Open in 1984. He was also the first golfer to win the Masters in his debut appearance. Later, Zoeller became a television analyst and remained a familiar figure in the world of golf for decades.

However, his legacy was also shaped by scandal. After Tiger Woods won his first Masters in 1997, Zoeller made a comment on air, suggesting that Woods should not serve fried chicken or collard greens at the champions' dinner. The comment was widely condemned for using racial stereotypes and sparked a swift backlash. Zoeller publicly apologized in the following days and later admitted that the incident deeply affected his life and career, calling it one of his biggest regrets.

Despite the scandal, Zoeller continued to work in golf and media for many years. His career is defined by both his on-course achievements and the high-profile incident that became an integral part of his public history.

Zoeller was married to Diane Thornton Zoeller, who passed away on December 18, 2021, at the age of 69. They were married for 45 years.

Fuzzy and Diane raised four children together: Sunny, Heidi, Gretchen, and Miles