People always recall the smile first. Fuzzy Zoeller’s brilliance wasn’t only in the way he crafted golf shots — it was in how he used humor to ease the weight of high-pressure moments. As a newcomer at Augusta in 1979, he arrived unknown and left wearing the green jacket, grinning through a playoff that would have broken many seasoned players. At the 1984 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, he jokingly waved a white towel at Greg Norman in pretend surrender, then returned the next day and captured the title with the same relaxed charm.
Beneath the jokes stood a determined competitor and a devoted family man. Turning professional in 1973, he earned 10 PGA Tour victories before bringing his personality to the Champions Tour, golf-course design, and various business pursuits. Fans didn’t just watch Zoeller — they felt included by him. His passing leaves a noticeable absence on the courses he brightened and a lasting reminder that excellence can also be joyful, generous, and deeply human.
