GolfBrief Staff
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Masters: Zoeller's time may be near
http://www.golfbrief.com/articles/957/1/Masters-Zoeller039s-time-may-be-near/Page1.html
By GolfBrief Staff
Published on 04/11/2008
http://www.golfbrief.com/articles/957/1/Masters-Zoeller039s-time-may-be-near/Page1.html
Masters: Zoeller's time may be near
It may be time for Fuzzy Zoeller.
A winner in his first appearance in 1979, Zoeller, now 56, is feeling the sting of Augusta National Golf Club’s changes, and his 30th Masters showed what previous champions have found with a lengthened course — it's hard.
“Course is playing long, but still, it's fun to play,” Zoeller said. “What the heck, what did I shoot? 81? They were all self-inflicted wounds. They were bad shots.”
When Zoeller won his Masters, the course was a mere 7,040 yards versus the 7,445 behemoth it is today. Zoeller also had Jeremiah Beard, a local caddy on the bag. Beard, who still lives in Augusta according to Zoeller, was the likely difference between winning and losing in 1979.
Zoeller believes one of the reasons there has been such a scarcity of first time winners at the Masters is because of the elimination of the local caddies.
“That local caddie is price less on these greens,” Zoeller said. “Knowing how they break from a guy that stands out here every day, works here every day, I mean he knows. And none of them do that.”
Playing less and less golf, Zoeller is serious about stepping back from the competitive aspects of Masters week and enjoying his life-long invitation.
“I take it very seriously,” Zoeller said of no long competing. “Arnold (Palmer) had a pretty good deal, you know what I mean. Sitting up there and
watching the people and having a good time. Having a little dinner Tuesday night. Not missing another 3-footer. I'm thinking about it real damn serious.”
A winner in his first appearance in 1979, Zoeller, now 56, is feeling the sting of Augusta National Golf Club’s changes, and his 30th Masters showed what previous champions have found with a lengthened course — it's hard.
“Course is playing long, but still, it's fun to play,” Zoeller said. “What the heck, what did I shoot? 81? They were all self-inflicted wounds. They were bad shots.”
When Zoeller won his Masters, the course was a mere 7,040 yards versus the 7,445 behemoth it is today. Zoeller also had Jeremiah Beard, a local caddy on the bag. Beard, who still lives in Augusta according to Zoeller, was the likely difference between winning and losing in 1979.
Zoeller believes one of the reasons there has been such a scarcity of first time winners at the Masters is because of the elimination of the local caddies.
“That local caddie is price less on these greens,” Zoeller said. “Knowing how they break from a guy that stands out here every day, works here every day, I mean he knows. And none of them do that.”
Playing less and less golf, Zoeller is serious about stepping back from the competitive aspects of Masters week and enjoying his life-long invitation.
“I take it very seriously,” Zoeller said of no long competing. “Arnold (Palmer) had a pretty good deal, you know what I mean. Sitting up there and
watching the people and having a good time. Having a little dinner Tuesday night. Not missing another 3-footer. I'm thinking about it real damn serious.”