Former American professional golfer and two-time major tournament winner Frank Urban “Fuzzy” Zoeller has died at the age of 74. This was announced by the national golf association USGA, the PGA Tour and the AP news agency. Nothing was initially known about the cause of death.
The man born in the state of Indiana, who became a professional in 1973, got his nickname because of the first letters of his first, middle and last name. In 1979, he became the second golfer to win the title in his Masters debut. In 1984 he triumphed at the US Open.
US President and golf fan Donald Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform on the Thanksgiving holiday: “It is very sad to hear that the highly respected and popular professional golfer Fuzzy Zoeller has passed away.” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan praised the former professional as a “true original”.
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Racist insult against Tiger Woods
During his career, he was noticed by a verbal lapse when he racially insulted the young golfer and later world star Tiger Woods. That moment haunted him for the rest of his career. Zoeller apologized, but the repercussions were so strong that he said he received death threats for years.
The father and grandfather, who according to the USGA association was known “for his sociable nature and humor,” also became known for his whistles between golf shots.