Ed Fiori wasn’t the loudest voice in the room. He wasn’t the most famous name in golf. But to those who knew him and even to many who didn’t, Ed was something special. He passed away on July 6, 2025, at the age of 72 after quietly battling cancer. The news has left the golf world remembering not just a skilled player, but a kind, grounded man who played the game with heart.
Who is Ed Fiori?
Ed grew up in California and loved golf so much that, as a kid, he would sneak through a barbed-wire fence to practice at the local course. He didn’t come from much. No country club background. Just a big dream, a used set of clubs, and grit.
That determination took him to the University of Houston and eventually to the PGA Tour. He turned pro in 1977 and never looked back.
Not a Superstar, But a Fighter
Fiori wasn’t a household name like Tiger or Phil. But in the locker room? He was respected. On the course? He was steady, focused, and fearless. Over the years, he quietly won four PGA Tour titles. He wasn’t flashy. But he didn’t need to be.
He was known for his strong grip both literally and figuratively. That’s how he got the nickname “The Grip.” Because when Ed held on to something, he didn’t let go.
The Day He Stopped Tiger
It’s 1996. A young Tiger Woods is on fire, just turning pro and leading the Quad Cities Classic. Everyone assumed it was Tiger’s big breakout. But not Ed.
With calm nerves and a quiet confidence, Ed played one of the best rounds of his life and won. He stopped Tiger from getting his first pro victory. It would be Ed’s last PGA Tour win and a story that still gets told today.
The twist? Ed had been thinking about retiring before that tournament. His wife gently encouraged him to play one more. That decision became golf history.
Off the Course, Just as Steady
Back problems eventually pulled Ed away from competitive golf. But he stayed active, often showing up at local events, lending advice, and keeping in touch with the game he loved.
People who knew him say he never changed and never got caught up in fame. He was kind. Funny. Humble. Always had time for a story, a handshake, or a word of encouragement.
Even as he battled cancer, Ed remained gracious. He didn’t want sympathy; he just wanted to keep living the best way he knew how: quietly, with gratitude.
A Life That Meant Something
When news of his passing broke, tributes poured in, not just from the golf world, but from everyday folks he had touched along the way. Fans remember him as “the guy who beat Tiger.” Friends remember him as the guy who never let the spotlight change him.
One PGA Tour rep put it simply: “Ed was a pro’s pro. He played with respect for the game and for people.”
