ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 25, 1997 TAG: 9704250070
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tiger Woods says Fuzzy Zoeller's humor was ``out of bounds'' and he wants to put the situation behind them.
Tiger Woods said Thursday he was stunned by Fuzzy Zoeller's racially insensitive remarks, but believes no offense was intended and accepts Zoeller's apology.
``At first, I was shocked to hear that Fuzzy Zoeller made these unfortunate remarks,'' Woods said in a statement released by the Los Angeles office of IMG, his management agency. ``His attempt at humor was out-of-bounds, and I was disappointed by it.
``But having played golf with Fuzzy, I know he is a jokester; and I have concluded that no personal animosity toward me was intended.''
Zoeller, 45, was fired by his sponsor, Kmart, and withdrew from the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic on Wednesday. He also said he wanted to talk to Woods about the remarks before picking up another golf club.
Zoeller's remarks came in a CNN interview about an hour after Zoeller finished his fourth round in the Masters, which the 21-year-old Woods won by 12 strokes in becoming the first African-American to win a major title. The interview was first broadcast a week after the Masters.
``That little boy is driving well and he's putting well,'' Zoeller told CNN. ``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?''
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.
``I respect Fuzzy as a golfer and as a person, and for the many good things he has done for others throughout his career,'' Woods said. ``I know he feels badly about the remarks. We all make mistakes, and it is time to move on.
``I accept Fuzzy's apology and hope everyone can now put this behind us.''
Zoeller, one of the most popular players on tour and a fixture in the Greensboro event, said he pulled out because of ``my respect for the game of golf, ladies and gentlemen, and my love for my fellow pros.''
Zoeller choked back tears as he read a brief statement to reporters, at one point straying from his prepared text to say, ``It hurts.''
``I am the one who screwed up and I will pay the price,'' Zoeller said after pulling out of the $1.9 million event without fielding questions.
``I started this, and I feel strongly that I have to make things right with Tiger first before anything else,'' he said.
``I also regret the distraction this has caused the world of golf. What I said is distracting people at this tournament. And that's not fair to the other people on this course trying to play this tournament.''
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