AUGUSTA, Ga. — In one sense, Jason Day empathizes with Tiger Woods’ struggles with addiction.
But on the other, he does not understand how Woods can be “a little bit selfish” driving and putting other people in danger.
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“When I look at that, I look at it and go, he’s just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. It’s unfortunate,” Day said April 6 after playing a practice round at Augusta National in preparation of the Masters.
“The only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way, as well.”
Day, the 38-year-old Aussie, has dealt with injuries but made sure he kept his dependence on pain medication at a minimum.
“He’s not immune to it just because he can hit a golf ball really well,” Day said. “He’s had 25- to 30-something surgeries, and when you’re going through that many procedures, it’s painful coming out of those procedures.
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“I’ve had procedures done and I typically try and stay away from all that stuff because I just know that … painkillers, there can potentially be a downfall to it.”
Jason Day on Tiger: ‘Some people want him to fail’
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC tapes his fingers during warm ups before match against the Los Angeles Golf Club who won the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Day said it’s been difficult to see Woods going through his struggles.
“Some people want him to fail,” he said. “Some people obviously want him to succeed. It’s really difficult for me to go through that and watch him, and I know that he’s getting the help now, which is good. I’m just hoping he comes out on the other side and is better.”
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Woods, 50, was arrested March 27 after a two-vehicle crash in Jupiter Island and is facing charges of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He passed a breath test but refused to submit to a urinalysis.
A search of Woods’ pocket found two pills revealed to be hydrocodone, a strong opioid painkiller.
The wreck was the second time since 2021 that Woods has been in a crash in which his vehicle rolled over and the second time since 2017 he has been arrested on DUI charges.
“But when you’re the player that he was and how strong-willed he is, he thinks he can do almost anything, and that’s probably why he’s probably driving and a little bit under the influence,” Day said.
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A private jet owned by Woods landed in Zurich on April 3, where it is believed the 15-time major champion is seeking treatment. He was granted permission to seek treatment outside the United States.
“He was my hero. He’s my hero. He was my hero growing up,” Day said. “The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger. It’s hard to see him go through what he’s going through, and especially under the microscope that … it must be hard to be who he is and have everything, everyone look on, kind of down on him.”
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jason Day on Tiger Woods’ ‘selfish’ DUI driving
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