The legendary golfer Frank «Fuzzy» Zoeller has passed away: we remember his life
28 november 2025 в 19:13
Frank Urban «Fuzzy» Zoeller Jr. was a highly skilled professional golfer, but he was most known for a scandalous statement he made about fellow golfer Tiger Woods in 1997. Nearly 30 years after this incident, Zoeller passed away on November 27, 2025, at the age of 74, with no known health problems. The golf community mourned Zoeller’s death, and the PGA Tour honored his memory.
«PGA Tour mourns the passing of Fuzzy Zoeller», - said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a public statement. «Fuzzy was a true original, whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the world of golf. Fuzzy combined competitive excellence with a sense of humor that attracted fans and fellow players to him. We celebrate his remarkable legacy and express our deepest condolences to his family».
Zoeller was a 10-time winner on the PGA Tour and a two-time golf champion. Originally from Indiana, he rose to fame in the world of golf in the 1970s and was awarded the Bob Jones Award in 1985.
Although his sports career was successful, Zoeller was known for his racist comments about Woods at the 1997 Masters. Zoeller called Woods a «boy» and made a racially insensitive comment about fried chicken.
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed after Zoeller’s passing.
No, Zoeller did not disclose any health problems to the public during his golf career or in recent years.
Zoeller was asked about Woods by CNN at the 1997 Masters tournament, which Woods won.
«This boy is driving well and putting well», - Zoeller said at the time. «He does everything he needs to do to win. So, you know what you do when he comes in here? You shake his hand and say 'congratulations,' and enjoy it, and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. [at the champions' dinner] Got it?»
Ten years later, Zoeller addressed his racist comment in a 2008 essay for Golf Digest. He called the incident and the subsequent reaction «the most horrific thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my entire life».
«If people wanted me to feel the same pain that I projected onto others, I’m here to tell you they got their wish», - Zoeller wrote in Golf Digest. «I've cried many times. I’ve apologized countless times for words said in jest that simply don’t reflect who I am. I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who will attest to that. … Yet, I’ve come to understand that this incident will never, ever go away»
«PGA Tour mourns the passing of Fuzzy Zoeller», - said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan in a public statement. «Fuzzy was a true original, whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the world of golf. Fuzzy combined competitive excellence with a sense of humor that attracted fans and fellow players to him. We celebrate his remarkable legacy and express our deepest condolences to his family».
Zoeller was a 10-time winner on the PGA Tour and a two-time golf champion. Originally from Indiana, he rose to fame in the world of golf in the 1970s and was awarded the Bob Jones Award in 1985.
Although his sports career was successful, Zoeller was known for his racist comments about Woods at the 1997 Masters. Zoeller called Woods a «boy» and made a racially insensitive comment about fried chicken.
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed after Zoeller’s passing.
No, Zoeller did not disclose any health problems to the public during his golf career or in recent years.
Zoeller was asked about Woods by CNN at the 1997 Masters tournament, which Woods won.
«This boy is driving well and putting well», - Zoeller said at the time. «He does everything he needs to do to win. So, you know what you do when he comes in here? You shake his hand and say 'congratulations,' and enjoy it, and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. [at the champions' dinner] Got it?»
Ten years later, Zoeller addressed his racist comment in a 2008 essay for Golf Digest. He called the incident and the subsequent reaction «the most horrific thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my entire life».
«If people wanted me to feel the same pain that I projected onto others, I’m here to tell you they got their wish», - Zoeller wrote in Golf Digest. «I've cried many times. I’ve apologized countless times for words said in jest that simply don’t reflect who I am. I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who will attest to that. … Yet, I’ve come to understand that this incident will never, ever go away»
© Artemenko Olga
