Latest news with #EdFiori
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Golfer Known For Beating Tiger Woods Dead At 72
Golfer Known For Beating Tiger Woods Dead At 72 originally appeared on The Spun. A famous golfer known for beating Tiger Woods has died at 72 years old. Ed Fiori, known for his win against Tiger Woods at the 1996 Quad City Classic, passed away on Sunday. He died following a battle with cancer. Advertisement The PGA Tour announced his death. PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady announced the tragic news over the weekend. 'Ed Fiori was a true gentleman in our sport, and is a player who would often be referred to as a pro's pro," Brady said. "In three of his four wins on the PGA Tour, he dueled down the stretch with future World Golf Hall of Fame members, most notably Tiger Woods in 1996. That grit and resolution in the face of immeasurable odds is incredibly admirable in every aspect of life, and I know he battled cancer with that same determination until the end. He will be missed by all of us at the Tour.' UNITED STATES - MARCH 11: Ed Fiori chips on to the 3rd green during the first round of the Champions' Tour 2005 SBC Classic at the Valencia Country Club in Valencia, California March 11, 2005. (Photo by)Fiori, nicknamed "The Grip" for his unusual grip of the golf club, won four times on the PGA Tour. However, he is now most known for chasing down Tiger Woods in 1996. Advertisement Woods held a lead over Fiori heading into the final round Quad Cities Classic at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois in 1996. However, Woods quickly imploded, making a quadruple-bogey at No. 4 and a four-putt double bogey at No. 7. Fiori ended up winning for the first time in 14 years. "There's no other way to put it: The kid self-imploded," Fiori told in 2019. He reportedly told his caddie, 'Bullet, let's see if we can get this one in to the house.' Our thoughts are with his friends and family members following this difficult time. May the former PGA Tour golfer rest in peace. Golfer Known For Beating Tiger Woods Dead At 72 first appeared on The Spun on Jul 7, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
PGA Tour winner famous for beating Tiger Woods sadly dies after cancer battle
The PGA Tour have confirmed that Ed Fiori, a four-time winner on the tour, has sadly died at the age of 72 after a battle with cancer in a statement on their website Golf icon Ed Fiori has sadly passed away at the age of 72 following a battle with cancer. The sad news about Fiori, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, was confirmed via the tour on their website. Among Fiori's victories was his triumph in the 1996 Quad City Classic, which is now known as the John Deere Classic. In winning the tournament, he defeated a young Tiger Woods in the final round, denying the American what would have been his maiden tour victory. Miller Brady, the PGA Tour Champions president, paid tribute to Fiori during the final round of the John Deere Classic on Sunday. He said: "Ed Fiori was a true gentleman in our sport, and is a player who would often be referred to as a pro's pro. "In three of his four wins on the PGA Tour, he dueled down the stretch with future World Golf Hall of Fame members, most notably Tiger Woods in 1996. READ MORE: 'I had to give Tiger Woods a major talking to on the golf course – we didn't speak for five holes' "That grit and resolution in the face of immeasurable odds is incredibly admirable in every aspect of life, and I know he battled cancer with that same determination until the end. "He will be missed by all of us at the Tour." After hitting 50, Fiori only played 58 times on the senior circuit, winning the 2004 MasterCard Classic in Mexico following a play-off with Graham Marsh. Sadly, back issues eventually led to him undergoing spinal fusion surgery in 2005 which prevented him from featuring more often on the PGA TOUR Champions. "I hung on for a few more years, and played for a while on the senior tour, but my back was always a problem," Fiori told back in 2019. "I had spinal fusion surgery in 2005, and from then on, I struggled to break 80. "Don't feel sorry for me, though. I've had a great life in a game I love. It was never easy. Lots of times, I was on that flight heading home on Friday nights," he said. "But I would not trade it for anything. Even today, people call me the Tiger killer. They don't always get their facts straight, but I don't mind. I'll never forget that weekend at the John Deere."
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
PGA Tour Pro Who Caught Tiger Woods at John Deere Classic Dies at 72
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the golf world turned its attention to the winner at John Deere Classic, the PGA Tour paused the celebration to share heartbreaking news. Ed Fiori, a 4-time PGA Tour winner and the man who famously caught young Tiger Woods with his final professional victory, has died at the age of 72 after a battle with cancer. Fiori's most iconic moment came in 1996, at what was then called the Quad Cities Classic but is now the John Deere Classic. PGA Tour Pro Who Caught Tiger Woods at John Deere Classic Dies at 72. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images) PGA Tour Pro Who Caught Tiger Woods at John Deere Classic Dies at 72. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images) Getty Images "Ed Fiori was a true gentleman in our sport, and is a player who would often be referred to as a pro's pro," said PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady. "In three of his four wins on the PGA Tour, he dueled down the stretch with future World Golf Hall of Fame members, most notably Tiger Woods in 1996. That grit and resolution in the face of immeasurable odds is incredibly admirable in every aspect of life, and I know he battled cancer with that same determination until the end. He will be missed by all of us at the Tour." At 43 years old, Fiori stared down a 20-year-old Woods, who was playing just his third event as a professional and held a one-shot lead heading into the final round. Woods, fresh off his 3rd straight U.S. Amateur win, had the galleries and momentum. But Fiori, nicknamed "The Grip" for his famously strong hold on the club, had grit. After an early bogey, he rallied with five birdies, carded a total of 268, and held off a surging Andrew Magee to win by two shots. Woods, who made a quadruple bogey on the 4th hole, faded to a tie for fifth. He would go on to win his next start at the Las Vegas Invitational, launching one of the most dominant careers in sports history. Fiori's win in Illinois was his fourth and final PGA Tour title, capping a career that also included victories at the 1979 Southern Open, 1981 Western Open, and 1982 Bob Hope Desert Classic. He later added a Champions Tour win at the 2004 MasterCard Classic. Across 583 PGA Tour starts, Fiori logged 38 top-10 finishes, often battling against future Hall of Famers. Tributes poured in across social media Former PGA Tour pro Mark Lye wrote on X, "Very sad day as my friend of many years, Ed Fiori, passed away... He had a huge heart in this game. He will be missed by many. RIP Eddie." Golf writer Tom Kirkendall added, "R.I.P., Ed Fiori... His nickname among the pros was 'Grip.'" That moniker wasn't just about technique—it reflected his tenacity, his ability to hold on when the odds were stacked against him. Canadian journalist Chris Stevenson echoed the sentiment, "Sad to hear of the passing of PGA Tour regular Ed (The Grip) Fiori... He was an Everyman and a great storyteller. His big moment came when he stared down Tiger Woods... for his fourth and final PGA Tour victory." Fiori, who once considered retiring to become a charter boat captain before that 1996 win, leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, humility, and heart. And the golf world won't forget him. More Golf: Did Kevin Roy Get Away with Breaking the Rules at John Deere Classic?
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Golf icon famous for taking down Tiger Woods dead at 72 after cancer battle
Ed Fiori, who won four titles on the PGA Tour, including the 1996 Quad Cities Classic that prevented Tiger Woods from his first victory, passed away from cancer on Sunday at 72. A native of Lynnwood, California, Fiori won his first title at the 1979 Southern Open, then added victories at the 1981 Western Open and 1982 Bob Hope Desert Classic. Fiori is best known for his triumph at the Quad Cities Classic, now known as the John Deere Classic, when he defeated a 20-year-old Woods in the final round at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Ill. 'You kind of root your playing partner on, he roots for you and maybe you can feed off each other and keep it going,' Fiori said of how his two days went playing with Woods, who was participating in just his third event on the PGA Tour. 'Playing with Tiger kind of raised my intensity a little bit. It brought my game up with it, I guess.' Woods led Fiori, who was 42 at the time, by one shot entering the final round. Woods dominated Fiori off the tee, but eventually faded, opening the door for Fiori, who shot a 67 to hold off Andrew Magee for a two-shot win. Woods, who hit quadruple-bogey on the fourth hole, shot a 72 and finished T5. During Sunday's final round of the John Deere Classic, the PGA Tour reflected on Fiori's legacy and praised his determination in his fight against cancer. 'Ed Fiori was a true gentleman in our sport, and is a player who would often be referred to as a pro's pro,' PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady said. 'In three of his four wins on the PGA Tour, he dueled down the stretch with future World Golf Hall of Fame members, most notably Tiger Woods in 1996. 'That grit and resolution in the face of immeasurable odds is incredibly admirable in every aspect of life, and I know he battled cancer with that same determination until the end. 'He will be missed by all of us at the Tour.' Fiori played only 58 times on the senior circuit after turn 50, winning in 2004 in Mexico. 'I hung on for a few more years, and played for a while on the senior tour, but my back was always a problem,' Fiori said in a 2019 interview with 'I had spinal fusion surgery in 2005, and from then on, I struggled to break 80. 'Don't feel sorry for me, though. I've had a great life in a game I love. It was never easy. Lots of times, I was on that flight heading home on Friday nights,' he said. 'But I would not trade it for anything. Even today, people call me the Tiger killer. They don't always get their facts straight, but I don´t mind. I'll never forget that weekend at the John Deere.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ed Fiori, known for taking down Tiger Woods, dies of cancer
FILE - Ed Fiori of Sugar Land, Texas, holds his trophy after winning the Quad City Classic at the Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 15, 1996. (AP Photo/Charles Bennett, File) FILE - Ed Fiori plays his tee shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the MasterCard Classic in Mexico City, Sunday, March 7, 2004. (AP Photo/Jaime Puebla, File) FILE - Ed Fiori plays his tee shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the MasterCard Classic in Mexico City, Sunday, March 7, 2004. (AP Photo/Jaime Puebla, File) FILE - Ed Fiori of Sugar Land, Texas, holds his trophy after winning the Quad City Classic at the Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 15, 1996. (AP Photo/Charles Bennett, File) FILE - Ed Fiori plays his tee shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the MasterCard Classic in Mexico City, Sunday, March 7, 2004. (AP Photo/Jaime Puebla, File) PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ed Fiori, who for 13 years was the only player to rally from a 54-hole deficit to beat Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour, died Sunday, the tour said on its website. He was 72. The tour said Fiori had been battling cancer. It provided no other details. Advertisement A four-time winner on the PGA Tour, no victory was more memorable than the 1996 Quad City Classic, now the John Deere Classic. Three tournaments into his pro career, a 20-year-old Woods had a one-shot lead over Fiori going into the final round at Oakwood Country Club. Woods had a quadruple bogey on the fourth hole and a four-putt double bogey on the seventh hole. He shot 72 to tie for fifth, four shots behind Fiori. Woods won two starts later in Las Vegas. He never lost a 54-hole lead in another PGA Tour-sanctioned event until Y.E. Yang beat him in the 2009 PGA Championship at Hazeltine. Lee Westwood overcame a deficit to beat Woods in 2000 in a European tour event in Germany. Fiori also beat two other Hall of Fame members in playoffs, Tom Weiskopf in the 1979 Southern Open and Tom Kite in the 1982 Bob Hope Classic. Advertisement 'In three of his four wins on the PGA Tour, he dueled down the stretch with future World Golf Hall of Fame members, most notably Tiger Woods in 1996. That grit and resolution in the face of immeasurable odds is incredibly admirable in every aspect of life, and I know he battled cancer with that same determination until the end,' said Miller Brady, president of the PGA Tour Champions. 'He will be missed by all of us at the tour.' Fiori played only 58 times on the senior circuit after turn 50, winning in 2004 in Mexico. 'I hung on for a few more years, and played for a while on the senior tour, but my back was always a problem,' Fiori said in a 2019 interview with "I had spinal fusion surgery in 2005, and from then on, I struggled to break 80. 'Don't feel sorry for me, though. I've had a great life in a game I love. It was never easy. Lots of times, I was on that flight heading home on Friday nights,' he said. 'But I would not trade it for anything. Even today, people call me the Tiger killer. They don't always get their facts straight, but I don't mind. I'll never forget that weekend at the John Deere.' ___ AP golf:
