Fuzzy Zoeller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fuzzy Zoeller |
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Zoeller in 2008
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. |
| Nickname | Fuzzy |
| Born | November 11, 1951 New Albany, Indiana, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 14 st) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Residence | Floyds Knobs, Indiana, U.S. |
| Spouse | Diane Thornton Zoeller |
| Children | 3 daughters, 1 son |
| Career | |
| College | Edison Junior College (FL) University of Houston |
| Turned professional | 1973 |
| Current tour(s) | Champions Tour |
| Former tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Professional wins | 19 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| PGA Tour | 10 |
| Champions Tour | 2 |
| Other | 7 |
| Best results in Major Championships (Wins: 2) |
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| The Masters Tournament | Won: 1979 |
| U.S. Open | Won: 1984 |
| The Open Championship | 3rd: 1994 |
| PGA Championship | 2nd: 1981 |
| Achievements and awards | |
| Bob Jones Award | 1985 |
Frank Urban "Fuzzy" Zoeller Jr. (born November 11, 1951) is a famous American professional golfer. He has won ten events on the PGA Tour, which is a top golf circuit. Two of his biggest wins were major championships. He is one of only three golfers to win the Masters Tournament on his very first try. He also won the U.S. Open in 1984.
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Early Life and Amateur Golf
Fuzzy Zoeller grew up in New Albany, Indiana. He was a very good golfer in high school. In 1970, he finished second in the state high school tournament. He even set a state record for a low round with a score of 67.
After high school, he went to Edison Junior College in Florida. Later, he transferred to the University of Houston. In 1973, he decided to become a professional golfer.
Fuzzy Zoeller's Professional Career
Fuzzy Zoeller won both of his major championships in exciting playoffs. In 1979, he won the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. He beat Ed Sneed and Tom Watson in a sudden-death playoff. This was the first sudden-death playoff ever at the Masters.
In 1979, Zoeller made history. He was the first golfer since 1935 to win the Masters in his first appearance. Only two other golfers had done this before him. They were Horton Smith and Gene Sarazen, who won the first two Masters tournaments.
Fuzzy also won the 1984 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club. He won after an 18-hole playoff against Greg Norman. During that tournament, Zoeller became famous for a funny moment. On the last hole, Greg Norman made a long putt to tie Zoeller. Fuzzy then waved a white towel in a joking way, as if he was giving up. The next day, after Zoeller won the playoff, Norman waved a white towel back at him, continuing the joke.
In 1985, Zoeller received the Bob Jones Award. This is the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association. It recognizes great sportsmanship in golf.
Zoeller played in the Ryder Cup three times. He was part of the winning U.S. teams in 1979 and 1983.
In 2002, Zoeller joined the Champions Tour, which is for older golfers. He won the Senior PGA Championship that year. This is a major championship for senior golfers. He also won the MasterCard Championship in 2004.
In 2009, Zoeller started his own business. He began selling vodka under the name "Fuzzy's Vodka." His brand even sponsored a race car team in the IndyCar Series starting in 2012.
Major Championship Wins
Fuzzy Zoeller won two major golf championships:
- 1979 Masters Tournament: He won in a sudden-death playoff.
- 1984 U.S. Open: He won after an 18-hole playoff.
Amateur Wins
Fuzzy Zoeller had a successful amateur career before turning professional.
- 1972 Florida State Junior College Championship (individual)
- 1973 Old Capital Invitational (Indiana)
- 1973 Indiana State Amateur
Professional Wins
Fuzzy Zoeller has won 19 professional tournaments. Here are his 10 PGA Tour wins:
- 1979 Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational
- 1979 Masters Tournament
- 1981 Colonial National Invitation
- 1983 Sea Pines Heritage
- 1983 Panasonic Las Vegas Pro Celebrity Classic
- 1984 U.S. Open
- 1985 Hertz Bay Hill Classic
- 1986 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
- 1986 Sea Pines Heritage (his second win at this event)
- 1986 Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic
Other Professional Wins
- 1985 Skins Game
- 1986 Skins Game
- 1987 Merrill Lynch Shoot-Out Championship
- 2003 Tylenol Par-3 Shootout
Champions Tour Wins
- 2002 Senior PGA Championship (a senior major)
- 2004 MasterCard Championship
Other Senior Wins
- 2002 Senior Slam
- 2008 Wendy's Champions Skins Game (with Peter Jacobsen)
- 2009 Wendy's Champions Skins Game (with Ben Crenshaw)
U.S. National Team Appearances
Fuzzy Zoeller represented the United States in several team golf events:
- Ryder Cup: 1979 (winners), 1983 (winners), 1985
- Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge (representing Senior PGA Tour): 2001
