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 While Woods was on the course in the final round on his way to a
12-stroke victory at the 1997 Masters, his first major title,
Zoeller made remarks with racist connotations about what Woods might
serve at the following year's Champions Dinner.
Zoeller told reporters: "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."
The Champions Dinner, where the defending Masters champion chooses
the menu, is traditionally held on Tuesday at Augusta National, two
days before the opening round.
Zoeller, his comments apparently finished, was walking away from the
assembled media scrum when he suddenly turned back and added: "Or
collard greens, or whatever the hell they serve."
Fried chicken has become a racial stereotype in the United States
when referring to African-Americans - a reference to the days before
the abolition of slavery when chicken was believed to be a staple
part of the diet.
The backlash at what many considered to be a racist remark cost
Zoeller financially in the form of several canceled sponsorship
deals, and personally in the form of damage to his reputation.
It took Woods more than a week to release a conciliatory statement,
in which he said he had "concluded that no personal animosity toward
me was intended", but that hardly meant the comment was forgotten.
The damage had been done and Zoeller would be haunted by it for
years.
The relationship between the pair remained a big talking point when,
by coincidence, Woods and 1979 champion Zoeller ended up in the same
threesome (with Colin Montgomerie) for the weather-delayed second
round at the 1998 Masters.
Cayce Kerr, who was caddying for Zoeller at the time, recalled that
there was a "tiny bit of tension" early in the round and everyone
seemed to be trying too hard. There was little, if any, casual
chit-chat.
"On the (par-three) sixth tee, everybody stuffed it in there (close
to the hole)," Kerr told Reuters. "As the three pros were walking
off the tee, Tiger said: 'Let's all walk off the greens with twos.'
"Here was the young statesman taking the lead to make everyone feel
at ease.
"It broke the ice, eased the tension 100 percent. It wasn't just
class, it was world class. And guess what, everyone walked off with
a birdie and had a little chuckle."
Kerr saw at first-hand over the years following the "fried chicken"
comment how badly Zoeller's reputation had been damaged.
CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Kerr did not condone the comment but wonders whether the punishment
ever did fit the crime for a player who had a widespread reputation
as a jokester.
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"I was with Fuzzy in the aftermath and I witnessed what the fans did
to him," Kerr said. "It could almost bring tears to your eyes, how
hard they came down on him. It was sad.
"Fuzzy was a good man, a great golfer, a great ambassador, a friend
and when you work next to somebody like that, it's difficult to
take.
"If I'm feeling the punches, imagine what he felt like. It was like
a wound that would never heal. It bothered him that bad. I was sad
for him."
Kerr has long since parted ways with Zoeller, and after stints for
the likes of Fred Couples and Vijay Singh he will caddie at Augusta
National this year for South African Ernie Els.
The Californian has worked the Masters for three decades, and says
his annual trip to Augusta is the highlight of his year, not least
because the tournament treats the caddies as well, if not better,
than any other stop on the PGA Tour.
One regret for Kerr is that this year will be the first since the
death of his old friend and colleague Dave Renwick, who succumbed to
cancer in February.
Scotsman Renwick was a two-time Masters "champion" -- having been
bagman for Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal in 1994 and Fijian Singh in
2000.
"One thing near and dear to Dave's heart was that when Vijay won, he
made a point during his victory speech to thank Dave for his
services," said Kerr.
"Dave wasn't a bragger and sometimes didn't get recognized, but
there's something about your player giving you a little bit of love.
"Dave and I used to share a house. I remember when we walked down
Magnolia Lane after Vijay's win in 2000, Dave turned around, looked
back towards the course, and said: 'See you next year.'
"I haven't had the privilege of being on a green jacket winner
during the tournament but I was definitely jealous."
(Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)
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