Zoeller apologizes for comments about Tiger
Woods
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) - Fuzzy Zoeller apologized Monday for calling
Masters champion Tiger Woods "that little boy" and urging
him not to request fried chicken or collard greens for the Champions
Dinner next year.
"My comments were not intended to be racially derogatory,
and I apologize for the fact that they were misconstrued in that
fashion," Zoeller said in a statement released by his agent.
Zoeller's comments about Woods, made at Augusta National while
the 21-year-old was becoming the first black golfer to win a major
tournament on April 13, were broadcast Sunday on CNN's "Pro
Golf Weekly."
According to a transcript released by the Atlanta-based network,
Zoeller said, "That little boy is driving well and he's putting
well. He's doing everything it takes to win. So, you know what
you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and
say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried
chicken next year. Got it?"
On the tape, Zoeller snapped his fingers, turned to walk away,
then added, "Or collard greens or whatever the hell they
serve."
Woods, as defending champion, will get to select the menu for
the Champions Dinner next year. He is the youngest Masters winner
in history after his record-setting 12-stroke victory.
Zoeller, one of the most free-spirited players on the PGA Tour,
said he was merely joking when he made the comments.
"I've been on the tour for 23 years and anybody who knows
me knows that I am a jokester," Zoeller said. "It's
too bad that something I said in jest was turned into something
it's not, but I didn't mean anything by it and I'm sorry if I
offended anybody. If Tiger is offended by it, I apologize to him,
too."
Zoeller said he didn't intend for his comments to be construed
in a racial context.
"I was merely making reference to the Champions Dinner.
In fact, when I hosted the dinner I served fast food hamburgers,"
said Zoeller, who won the 1979 Masters. "I have nothing but
the utmost respect for Tiger as a person and an athlete."
Woods was taping the Oprah Winfrey show on Monday and could
not be reached for comment, according to IMG, the agency which
represents him. Zoeller said he had not been able to reach Woods,
either, but planned to speak with him "at the first opportunity
our schedules permit.
Other golfers on the tour came to Zoeller's defense, though
they stressed that his comments were in bad taste.
"I know Fuzzy and it was obvious to me that he was attempting
to be funny," Tom Lehman said Monday, after playing in the
Andersen Consulting World Championship of Golf in Eatonton, Ga.
"He probably would have said the same thing to Tiger's face
and they both would have yukked it up."
But Zoeller's comments were unfortunate, Lehman added, coming
in the midst of a landmark event in the history of golf.
"It wasn't the best timing, and it wasn't in good taste,"
Lehman said. "I'm sure he was making an attempt at a joke
and it didn't come out right. But it's not appropriate."
Fred Couples stressed that Woods is treated the same as any
other golfer on the mostly white tour.
"Off-the-wall comments are made all the time," Couple
said. "There was nothing racist about it. We don't have any
problems like that out here (on the tour).
"I don't think it's a big deal, and I'm sure Tiger doesn't.
But I'm sure there are a lot of people around the world that do.
And I'm sure Fuzzy wishes he wouldn't have said that."
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