Fuzzy Zoeller
2 Major Championships • 48th All-Time
Major Championship Wins
About Fuzzy Zoeller
Fuzzy Zoeller won 2 major championships during a 5-year span, with the first coming in 1979.
Learn more: Wikipedia
Career Highlights
- 1979 Masters — Won first major in sudden-death playoff over Tom Watson and Ed Sneed, first sudden-death playoff in Masters history
- 1984 U.S. Open — Won at Winged Foot after 18-hole playoff victory over Greg Norman
- "The White Towel" — Famous for waving white towel in 1984, thinking Norman had beaten him (Norman had actually missed birdie putt)
- 10 PGA Tour Wins — Known for fast play, outgoing personality, and quick wit
- Ryder Cup — Three appearances for Team USA (1979, 1983, 1985)
- Indiana Native — Proud representative of southern Indiana throughout his career
Did You Know?
- Happy-Go-Lucky Fuzzy: Known for his cheerful demeanor, quick play, and constant whistling on the course — Fuzzy brought joy and humor to professional golf
- White Towel Legend: In 1984, thinking Greg Norman had made birdie to beat him, Fuzzy famously waved a white towel from the fairway in mock surrender — only to learn Norman had missed, leading to an 18-hole playoff Fuzzy won
- Nickname Origin: "Fuzzy" came from childhood, though the exact origin is debated — some say it was his hair, others his personality
Career Highlights
- 1979 — Won The Masters in his debut, first since 1935
- 1984 — Won U.S. Open at Winged Foot in playoff
- 1970s-1980s — Won 10 PGA Tour events
- 1979 — One of only three golfers to win Masters in debut
Did You Know?
- Masters Debut Magic: Zoeller won The Masters in his first appearance in 1979, joining Gene Sarazen (1935) and Horton Smith (1934) as the only players to win on debut.
- The White Towel Wave: At the 1984 U.S. Open, thinking Greg Norman had won, Fuzzy waved a white towel in mock surrender—only to win the playoff the next day.
- Jovial Personality: Known for his humor, whistling on the course, and easygoing demeanor, "Fuzzy" was one of golf's most entertaining personalities.