Golf greats Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus both paid tribute to Tiger Woods at the Masters and sent their well wishes to the 15-time major champion at Augusta National.
Woods was absent from the field this week for the second straight season, having withdrawn from the sport to care for his health following a car accident last month.
Former world No. 1 Woods was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and is currently receiving treatment. Woods pleaded not guilty and sent the case to a jury trial.
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Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast at Augusta National, Butch Harmon suggested Tiger Woods’ career could be over following his car crash on March 27.
Woods was working on another competitive return from injury before his recent car accident, and while Player sympathized with his ongoing pain, he urged him to stop driving.
“Humans are very critical of everything,” the player said during his honorary starter press conference. “If I or any of you in this room have ever suffered like Tiger Woods, just think of the excruciating pain this man has been through for so long.
“Should I blame him for taking medication? No, he suffers from sleep deprivation. Should I blame him for taking medication to help him sleep? No, but I don’t think he should be driving a car.
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Players including Jason Day and Bubba Watson have reflected on Tiger Woods’ absence from the Masters, highlighting the toll the physical injuries have taken and the void he leaves on the game.
“If you take that medicine, it’s dangerous to drive and it’s dangerous to look at your phone in the car.
“All he has to do is not drive the car and get a driver. I think my reflexes are as good as they were when I was 20, but I don’t drive anymore. Get a driver. I think that’s the answer.”
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The moment Tiger Woods won the 2019 Masters and received his fifth green jacket.
“My heart goes out to him. There’s nothing worse than living in pain your whole life. I can’t think of anything worse. I just hope he can sort it all out because he’s a huge asset to golf and he’s done so much for the game.”
Nicklaus, who had chased Woods’ 18 majors but now never catches them, was asked if he had a message for Woods.
“Get whatever help you need and come back. I think golf needs him and we want to get him back,” Nicklaus said.
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley briefly mentioned Woods in his pre-tournament press conference and confirmed that he supports Woods’ decision to sit out this week’s major.
Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player speak to the media after receiving honorary starter roles
“I would like to add that we fully support Tiger’s recent decision to focus on health and well-being,” Ridley said at a press conference. “His personal commitment to the TGR Foundation and Tiger has been unwavering. We wish him all the best.”
Woods has played in only 11 official tournaments since late November 2020, completing 72 holes in just four of them, most recently at the 2024 Masters, where he finished last among players to make the cut. His last competitive appearance was at The Open in July 2024.
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