Golf. Tiger Woods' possible return to the Champions Tour captivates a golf legend
Fuzzy Zoeller, the Indiana-born golfer whose early triumphs earned him a place among the sport's memorable champions, died at age 74 on Thursday, November 27.
His rise on the pro circuit was swift. In 1979, during his first appearance at the Masters Tournament, Zoeller stunned the golf world and wrote himself into the record books.
That victory made him only the second golfer ever to win the Masters on his debut.
Zoeller later reflected on that moment: "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."
In discussing the win, Zoeller said: "That little boy is driving it well, and he's putting well...Tell him not to serve fried chicken next year."
As he walked away, he added, "Or collard greens or whatever the hell they serve."
The remark triggered immediate outrage. Though Zoeller apologized, the backlash was swift and enduring.
He later admitted that the episode led to death threats against him and his family, an experience he described as "the worst thing I've gone through in my entire life."
The controversy marred an otherwise electrifying career. At the time of his death, Zoeller leaves behind three children.