Zoeller Accepts Apology

Fuzzy Zoeller, disqualified from a Champions Tour event for trying to conduct an instructional tip on the golf course, says Commissioner Tim Finchem called to apologize.

“The commissioner called me and said, ‘Accept my apology. We screwed up.’ That was good enough for me,” Zoeller said Monday at a charity breakfast in South Florida.

Zoeller was disqualified Friday for hitting practice shots on the Crandon Park Golf Course after his first-round 73 in the Royal Caribbean Classic.

Zoeller agreed to give a lesson to a local television reporter, and because the practice range was full, decided to use the vacant sixth tee. Such lessons are part of the tour’s new fan-friendly initiatives, and Zoeller figured it was OK.

“Everybody in their right mind who plays competitive golf knows you can’t go back out on the golf course,” Zoeller said. “It was set up through the Champions Tour, not Fuzzy Zoeller.”

As soon as Zoeller hit his first demonstration shot, officials said he was in violation of Rule 7-1-b, which prohibits practicing on the tournament course between rounds.

Tour spokesman Bob Combs said miscommunication was partly to blame. He said the tournament staff approved of Zoeller going to the sixth tee, but the camera crew suggested without authority that he hit a shot.

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Martha Burk, the head of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, made her first visit to Augusta to scout possible protest sites near Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters.

The National Council of Women’s Organizations and other groups plan to protest the club’s all-male membership during the Masters in April.

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Next on Tour

The next three PGA Tour events will take place in Southern California. A look:

* Thursday-Sunday -- Buick Invitational, Torrey Pines (North and South), La Jolla. Defending champion: Jose Maria Olazabal. Purse: $4.5 million (winner, $648,000). Fast fact: The 2008 U.S. Open will be played at the South Course at Torrey Pines. TV: Thursday, noon-3 p.m., USA; Friday, noon-3 p.m., USA; Saturday, noon-6:30 p.m., Ch. 2; Sunday, noon-3 p.m, Ch. 2.

* Feb. 20-23 -- Nissan Open, Riviera Country Club.

* Feb. 26-March 2 -- WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, La Costa Resort and Spa, Carlsbad.