Golfing greats Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus both paid tribute to Tiger Woods at The Masters and sent wishes of support to the 15-time major champion at Augusta National.
Woods is missing from this week’s field for the second successive season, having stepped away from the sport to focus on his health, after being involved in a car crash last month.
The former world No 1 is currently seeking treatment having been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, with Woods entering a not guilty plea, taking the case to a jury trial.
Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast at Augusta National, Butch Harmon suggests that Tiger Woods’ career could be over following a car crash on March 27
Woods was working towards making another competitive comeback from injury prior to his latest car crash, with Player sympathising with his continued pain but urging him to stop driving.
“The human being is so critical of everything,” Player said in his Honorary Starters press conference. “If I or any of you in this room had the pain that Tiger Woods had – think of the excruciating pain that this man has been going through for a long time.
“Do I blame him for taking medicine? Hell, no. He has sleep deprivation. Do I blame him for taking something to help him sleep? No. But I don’t think he should drive a car.
Players including Jason Day and Bubba Watson reflect on the absence of Tiger Woods at The Masters, stressing the physical toll of injury and the void he leaves in the game
“When you’re taking that medicine, it’s dangerous when you’re driving a car, same as it’s dangerous when you look at your cell phone in the car.
“I think all he’s got to do is just not drive a car and get a chauffeur. My reflexes, I think, are as good as when I was 20, but I don’t drive anymore – I get a chauffeur. I think that’s the answer to it.
The moment Tiger Woods won the 2019 Masters to win the Green Jacket for a fifth time
“My heart goes out for him. There’s nothing worse than living in pain every day of your life. You can’t think of anything worse. I just hope he can get it all sorted out because he’s such an asset to golf and has done so much for the game.”
Nicklaus, whose 18 majors Woods chased but now will never catch, was asked if he had a message for Woods.
“Just [get] whatever you need to help you and get back, because I think golf needs him, and we’d love to have him back,” Nicklaus said.
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley briefly mentioned Woods in his pre-tournament press conference, where he confirmed that they supported Woods’ decision to not attend this week’s major.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player spoke to the media after their roles as Honorary Starters
“I would like to add that we fully support Tiger’s recent decision to focus on his health and well-being,” chairman Ridley said in his press conference. “Our commitment to the TGR Foundation and to Tiger personally has not wavered. We wish him the very best.”
Woods has only played in 11 official tournaments since the end of November 2020 and completed 72 holes in just four of them, most recently when he finished last of those who made the cut at The Masters in 2024. His last competitive appearance came at The Open in July 2024.
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