Posted on 11/27/2025 6:48:56 PM PST by nickcarraway
Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time major champion and one of golf's most gregarious characters whose career was tainted by a racially insensitive joke about Tiger Woods, has died, according to a longtime colleague. He was 74.
A cause of death was not immediately available. Brian Naugle, the tournament director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, said Zoeller's daughter called him Thursday with the news.
Zoeller was the last player to win the Masters on his first attempt, a three-man playoff in 1979. He famously waved a white towel at Winged Foot in 1984 when he thought Greg Norman had beat him, only to defeat Norman in an 18-hole playoff the next day.
(Excerpt) Read more at espn.com ...
I think i remember seeing Zoeller whiff about a 3 inch putt. He just sort of poked at without setting up. Cost him a stroke. It might have been someone else, but I think it was Zoeller.
I liked both of this golfers. We all make mistakes, if you want to be forgiven, you must forgive.
Na, Larry Mize playoff with Greg, Mize stroked an ethereal shot to win the Masters. 🏌️
Oh Hell yes, me too.
I believe it was Mark McCumber who whiffed the three inch putt.
As to Tiger’s road accident, I would say most likely cause was inattention and speeding, he was late for a movie shoot appointment at a golf course during his time as host of the Riviera event (L.A. Open) and was probably going quite fast on a road more suitable for 30-40 mph. Low sun angle, somebody coming out of a side street, and whammo you’re flying over the median. Substance abuse could be involved or maybe not. Definitely not suicide on his mind, Tiger’s generally a happy camper. I believe in general he has stayed away from the race card which would be very easy to play in his chosen sport.
Always liked Fuzzy, he was the sort of golfer who played like we did only more consistently, so you could identify with him. I could certainly identify with Mark McCumber, got him covered on the three-inch whiff count.
It was Hale Irwin I was remembering not Fuzzy.
https://www.golfshake.com/news/view/11956/The_Missed_Tiddlers_That_Proved_Costly.html
“Hale Irwin, The Open, 1983
No list of missed tiddlers would be complete without Hale Irwin’s famous “whiff”. During The Open at Royal Birkdale in 1983, the American was in his prime and was in contention. He left his approach putt at the 14th on the edge of the hole during the third round and flicked his putter at the ball, but missed it completely. Irwin would end up losing to Tom Watson by a single shot - in effect, that air shot with his putter cost him The Open.”
Some people can’t take a joke ..because it helps push their agenda.
R.I.P.
Stay frosty, Fuzzy.
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