Four-time PGA Tour winner Ed Fiori who beat Tiger Woods at John Deere Classic dies aged 72

Four-time PGA Tour winner Ed Fiori, who famously denied Tiger Woods his first title, has sadly passed away after losing his battle with cancer today at the age of 72. 

Fiori won his first title on the PGA Tour at the 1979 Southern Open.

He then added further wins at the 1981 Western Open and 1982 Bob Hope Desert Classic. 

But then came his most memorable win on the PGA Tour when he took down Woods in the final round to win the 1996 Quad Cities Classic, which is now known as the John Deere Classic.

Woods, who was 20 at the time and going in search of his first win on the PGA Tour, took a one-shot lead over Fiori, 42, into the final round. 

But despite being some 50 yards behind Woods off the tee on most par-4s and par-5s, Fiori held his nerve and saw out his fourth win on Tour.

Fiori closed with a round of 67 for a two-shot victory over Andrew Magee. 

Woods ended up with a 72 in T5. 

The PGA Tour has paid tribue to Fiori during today's final round coverage of the John Deere Classic. 

"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."

RIP Ed Fiori