The best golfer from every U.S. state

Indiana: Fuzzy Zoeller

Fuzzy Zoeller has long been known as outspoken in golfing circles, for better or worse. A jokester by trade in addition to his prowess on the course, the New Albany, IN native and current Floyds Knobs, IN resident has certainly seen his remarks intended to be humorous not quite strike the right cord. However, what can’t be called into question about Zoeller throughout his career is his ability with a club in his hand.

After attending the University of Houston — following a transfer from Edison Junior College — Zoeller won the Indiana State Amateur championship in 1973 and then turned professional soon thereafter. It was a few years after that, however, when he began to make a name for himself in a big way on the PGA Tour.

Zoeller began the 1979 season by winning the Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational in January. That helped put him en route to his first ever trip to Augusta to compete in The Masters. While experience at The Masters is often paramount, it wasn’t for Zoeller. After being tied with Ed Sneed and Tom Watson after 72 holes, they went to the tournament’s first-ever sudden-death playoff, which Zoeller won with a birdie on the second playoff hole. In doing so, he also became just the third player in history at the time to win the green jacket in his first time playing at The Masters.

Five years later, Zoeller won his only other major at the 1984 U.S. Open by also winning a playoff, this time defeating Greg Norman. While those were his only two PGA Tour major victories, Zoeller recorded eight additional wins on his career, and also won the 2002 Senior PGA Championship as well.