The world of professional golf is mourning the loss of one of its most colorful and charismatic figures. Fuzzy Zoeller, a two-time major champion whose easygoing manner and quick wit made him a fan favorite, died on November 27, 2025, at the age of 74. The news was confirmed by the PGA Tour and relayed to the public by Brian Naugle, tournament director of the Insperity Invitational in Houston, after Zoeller's daughter called with the sad update. No cause of death was immediately provided, but the impact of Zoeller's passing was felt across the golf community and beyond.
Born Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. on November 11, 1951, in New Albany, Indiana, Zoeller was a golf prodigy from the start. He picked up the game at the tender age of three, playing his first competitive tournament just two years later. Growing up next to Valley View Country Club, golf became a central part of his life from the very beginning. His nickname, "Fuzzy," was a playful twist on his initials and quickly became synonymous with his affable personality and distinctive style on the course.
Zoeller's early athletic prowess wasn't limited to golf. He was also a solid contributor to his high school basketball team, though he always maintained that basketball was just a way to stay in shape for golf during Indiana's cold winters. After high school, Zoeller attended Edison Community College in Florida before transferring to the University of Houston for the 1972-73 academic year, joining a powerhouse golf program that produced several future PGA Tour stars.
In 1973, Zoeller won the Indiana State Amateur at Otter Creek Golf Course, a victory that propelled him to declare his professional intentions. The following year, he earned his PGA Tour card by winning medalist honors at the grueling 144-hole Qualifying Tournament in California. His rookie season was modest, but by his second year, Zoeller had already made a name for himself with four top-10 finishes, including two runner-up spots.
It was in 1979 that Zoeller truly burst onto the scene. After notching his first PGA Tour win at the Andy Williams San Diego Open, he made his Masters debut at Augusta National. In a dramatic finish, Zoeller found himself in a three-way playoff with Ed Sneed and Tom Watson after Sneed bogeyed the final three holes. On the second playoff hole, Zoeller calmly sank a six-foot birdie putt, flinging his putter high into the Georgia sky in celebration. He became only the third player in history to win the Masters on his first attempt, a feat that remains unmatched since. Reflecting on that moment, Zoeller once quipped, "I've never been to heaven, and thinking back on my life, I probably won't get a chance to go. I guess winning the Masters is as close as I'm going to get."
Zoeller's flair for the dramatic didn't end there. In 1984, at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club, he famously waved a white towel in mock surrender, thinking Greg Norman had clinched victory. But Zoeller forced an 18-hole playoff the next day and delivered a masterful performance, shooting a 3-under 67—the lowest playoff score in U.S. Open history—to win by eight strokes. His competitive excellence was matched by his unique approach to the game: fast play, a whistling tune between shots, and a sense of humor that set him apart from his peers.
Over his career, Zoeller collected ten PGA Tour victories, including the 1986 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Sea Pines Heritage, and Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic. He finished runner-up nineteen times and enjoyed a stellar 1994 season, closing fifth on the money list. Zoeller also made his Ryder Cup debut in 1979, contributing to a U.S. team victory at The Greenbrier Resort. After turning 50, he competed on the PGA Tour Champions, winning the 2002 Senior PGA Championship and the 2004 MasterCard Championship, among other achievements.
Yet, Zoeller's legacy is not without controversy. During the 1997 Masters, as Tiger Woods was on his way to a historic victory, Zoeller made a racially insensitive joke in a CNN interview. His remarks—"That little boy is driving well and he's putting well. He's doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it?"—were widely condemned. As he walked away, Zoeller added, "Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve." The incident haunted him for the rest of his career. Zoeller apologized, but the backlash was severe. In a 2008 Golf Digest article, he wrote, "If people wanted me to feel the same hurt I projected on others, I'm here to tell you they got their way. I've cried many times. I've apologized countless times for words said in jest that just aren't a reflection of who I am. I have hundreds of friends, including people of color, who will attest to that. Still, I've come to terms with the fact that this incident will never, ever go away." Zoeller received death threats and acknowledged it was "the worst thing I've gone through in my entire life."
Despite this painful chapter, Zoeller's contributions to golf extended beyond his playing days. He was a passionate supporter of junior golf and hosted tournaments, including the Fuzzy Zoeller Classic at Covered Bridge Golf Club in Indiana. In 1985, the USGA recognized him with the Bob Jones Award, its highest honor for distinguished sportsmanship.
Off the course, Zoeller faced personal loss as well. His wife, Diane, passed away in 2021. He is survived by three children, including his daughter Gretchen, with whom he shared memorable moments on the course, notably at the PNC Championship.
Tributes poured in from across the sports world. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said, "Fuzzy was a true original whose talent and charisma left an indelible mark on the game of golf. 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." Former President Trump also shared his condolences, recalling Zoeller's historic Masters and U.S. Open wins and calling him "a truly remarkable person and player."
Zoeller's story is one of triumph, controversy, resilience, and ultimately, an enduring love for the game. His victories, his humor, and his humanity—flaws and all—have secured him a place in golf's rich tapestry. As the golf world reflects on his life, the memory of Fuzzy Zoeller's competitive spirit and unmistakable presence will not soon fade.
