The whistling stopped for good at Augusta National Golf Club on Friday afternoon.

Fuzzy Zoeller hands his daughter and caddie, Gretchen Zoeller, a signed golf ball on the 18th green after his final Masters round. The 1979 champ received a standing ovation on the final hole. (Kendrick Brinson/Special)

Fuzzy Zoeller, 57, missed the cut and called it quits at the tournament he won in 1979 as a Masters rookie. He is one of only three players to win it on his first try.

The easy-going Zoeller, who is famous for his chatter with playing partners and fans, liked to whistle while he walked the fairways.

Zoeller finished in style. He jogged up the hill to the scoring tent after tapping in a par putt for 4-over-par 76. He played his final nine holes in 1-under 35, making birdies on the two par-3s, Nos. 12 and 16, and the par-5 13th.

"Unbelievable," said his daughter, Gretchen Zoeller, who was his caddie. "He's 57 years old."

Zoeller played in his 31st Masters at the request of the 25-year-old Gretchen. He has said the tournament was no longer fun for him because of its length and his years. He made his retirement announcement months ago.

"A lot of great memories," he said after the round. "Thirty years; a long time. "

He even alluded to the controversial statement he made in 1997 about what Tiger Woods would serve at the following year's Champions Dinner.

He said the longtime patrons "understand the good stuff, the bad stuff, whatever. ... life is not a bowlful of cherries, you know that."

Fans saluted Zoeller throughout the round, culminating with a standing ovation around the 18th green.

"That was very cool," Gretchen said. "When you think so highly of somebody and know everybody else feels the same way, it buckles you. It takes you to your knees. A very humbling experience. The crowds were so awesome and so supportive of Dad."

Gretchen said the highlights of the final round included her father's tee shots on Nos. 12 and 16, both of which nearly went into the hole, and the walk up No. 18. She had tears in her eyes on Nos. 16 and 18.

"And I don't cry," she said.

The most tears came on the walk up the 18th fairway.

"It was like a waterfall; I was like, 'Turn it off, please,' " Gretchen said.

Her father, wearing sunglasses, also was wiping away tears on the walk up 18.

"He said, 'Look at this,' " she said. "I said, 'I know. Unbelievable. Just enjoy it.' "

Asked whether he was crying on No. 18, Zoeller took off his sunglasses for reporters.

"I'm bloodshot. What do you think? It's not a vodka and tonic, I'll tell you that," he said.

He later called that walk "the greatest thrill of my life."

Zoeller's exit marks the passing of an era.

"He's a character," said Alan Tigner, of Hernando, Fla., a fan who was in Zoeller's group early in Friday's round. "He's an old-school guy. He's someone from the other generation; not the new generation. The old go by the wayside and the young ones replace them.

"He's a different kind of golfer," Tigner said. "He's not the kind of golfer who would retire to the practice range after golf, but would go to the bar. Golf with him is not always a sport on the course."

Zoeller will still play on the Champions Tour and come back to Augusta to play practice rounds and the Par-3 Contest.

"I was surprised when he said he was giving it up," said patron David Moore, of Thomson. "I thought he'd be around for a few more years."

Said Zoeller's daughter: "The course is just too long, and my dad is such a competitor. If he can't compete, he's going to call it a day."

Reach David Westin at (706) 823-3224 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.