Frank Urban ‘Fuzzy’ Zoeller, a two-time major champion, passed away in November.
FUZZY Zoeller, the colourful American who famously waved a white towel from the fairway of the 72nd hole in the 1984 US Open in surrender to Greg Norman, only to beat the Australian legend in a playoff the following day, is being remembered as one of golf’s most outgoing characters.
Zoeller, who won two majors – both in playoffs – including the 1979 Masters in his first appearance at the event, died on November 27. He was 74.
Zoeller waved his white golf towel on the final hole of the US Open after Norman had holed a long putt to tie Zoeller for the tournament lead. He thought Norman was ahead, but Zoeller went on to par the hole, tie the tournament, and took the title the next day after an 18-hole playoff.
After being beaten 67 to 75 in that playoff, Norman good naturedly waved a white towel himself, acknowledging yet another cruel loss in a major championship.
Frank ‘Fuzzy’ Zoeller Jnr won 10 PGA Tour events between 1979 and 1986. Later he joined the Champions Tour, where he won the Senior PGA Championship in 2002. He also won the 2004 Mastercard Championship.
Born and raised in Indiana, Zoeller was an outstanding junior, finishing second in the 1970 state high school championship. He turned professional in 1973.
He was voted the 1985 winner of the Bobby Jones Award, the highest honour given by the United States Golf Association, in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.
In 1994 he shared the 54-hole lead in the Open Championship at Turnberry, but faded to finish third, his best ever finish in the event. He competed in three Ryder Cups for the US team. Zoeller was married to Diane, who died in 2021. He had three children.
