Tiger Woods will not be on the grounds at Augusta National this week, but there’s no doubt he’ll be a major talking point.
The five-time Masters champion was arrested and charged with DUI on March 27 after crashing his car near his home on Jupiter Island, sparking a wide range of reactions from fans, media personalities and retired golf legends.
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But what about the active players? See what those competing at this week’s Masters had to say about Woods’ situation.
Tiger Woods looks on from the tenth hole during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 08, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia.
Tiger Woods crash: What happened?
On the afternoon of Friday, March 27, Woods was reported to have been driving fast on a residential street on Jupiter Island near his home when he clipped the back of a pressure-washing trailer behind a truck. Woods’ SUV flipped and skidded down the street, and he climbed out of the skyward-facing passenger window. He was taken to a local hospital after the crash but declined medical assistance before being booked into jail, where he was held for eight hours.
Why was Tiger Woods arrested?
An arrest affidavit revealed that officers found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ pocket after the crash. Woods has a long history of back and leg injuries, and hydrocodone is a prescription drug to treat severe, chronic pain. When asked by officers if he had taken prescription drugs before the crash, he replied “I take a few,” the affidavit said. Officers at the scene conducted multiple sobriety tests and concluded that Woods was impaired.
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What charges is Tiger Woods facing?
Woods pleaded not guilty to DUI with property damage. He blew a 0.00 on two breathalyzer tests but declined to submit to a urinalysis, which triggered a relatively new Florida law under which drivers who refuse a breath or urine test face a second-degree misdemeanor charge, an automatic one-year driver’s license suspension and up to 60 days in jail.
What did Tiger Woods say after the crash?
Woods issued a statement on March 31 shortly after pleading not guilty.
Statements from PGA Tour after Woods crash
The PGA Tour and its CEO, Brian Rolapp, released two separate statements on March 31 regarding Woods’ crash:
Tiger Woods crash history
Tiger Woods has a long history of vehicle incidents:
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Nov. 27, 2009: Woods crashed into a fire hydrant in his neighbor’s yard early in the morning in the private golf community of Isleworth near Orlando, the day after Thanksgiving.
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May 29, 2017: Woods passed out around 3 a.m. while driving on Military Trail, a major road in Jupiter, Florida. The driver’s side of his Mercedes was damaged. He was arrested and found to have five prescription drugs in his system.
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Feb. 23, 2021: Woods was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Rancho Palos Verde in California. The vehicle he was driving drifted left across a median, struck a sign, then drifted back to the right and across the road in a curve. The SUV then rolled down a steep embankment and flipped onto its side. Woods was pulled from the vehicle by rescue crews.
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March 27, 2026: Woods was reported to have been driving fast on a residential street on Jupiter Island near his home when he clipped the back of a pressure-washing trailer behind a truck.
Will Tiger Woods be at the Masters?
Tiger Woods will not be playing in the 2026 Masters nor will he attend Tuesday’s Champions Dinner. Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley issued a statement regarding Woods’ absence from the event he’s won five times: “Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being. Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta.”
Tiger Woods (L) of the United States celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia.
How many times has Tiger Woods won the Masters?
Tiger Woods has won the Master five times — 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019 — the second-most all-time, behind Jack Nicklaus, who won six Green Jackets. In total, Woods has 15 major championship victories to his name — also the second-most all-time behind Nicklaus, who has 18.
Tiger Woods (R) receives the Masters green jacket for winning the 1997 Masters Tournament 13 April from 1996 winner Nick Faldo at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. Woods won the tournament with a record eighteen-under-par.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Tiger Woods Masters updates: Reactions, quotes from players at Augusta
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