Tiger Woods will miss the Masters after deciding to take a break from golf following a car accident, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley confirmed.
Woods revealed on Tuesday that he had been “out of the country for a period of time” to “seek treatment” following an incident in Florida where he was charged with drunk driving last Friday.
Woods has maintained his innocence, but has admitted looking at his cell phone shortly before the crash, and a police report says Woods had two hydrocodone tablets (an opioid used to treat severe pain) in his pocket after his home was searched.
Speaking live on Sky Sports, the 15-time major winner, most recently the Masters five times in 2019, did not confirm that he would definitely miss the first major of the season from April 9 to 12.
However, Ridley later said in a statement that “Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods in his commitment to his health.”
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“Tiger won’t be joining us in person next week, but his presence will be felt here at Augusta.”
Even though he wasn’t playing in Georgia, Woods still planned to attend Sunday’s opening ceremony for The Patch, a municipal course he helped design in August.
The 50-year-old is also expected to attend the Champions Dinner on April 7, which will be hosted by Rory McIlroy this year after the Northern Irishman completed the career Grand Slam by winning in 2025.
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Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed on March 27 that Woods had been arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
Woods has not played in an outdoor tournament since missing last year’s Augusta tournament due to injury and missing out on a spot in the 2024 British Open Championship.
He returned for the first time in 13 months in the TGL finals against Los Angeles at Jupiter Links Golf Club in late March, and expectations were high that he would do well in the Masters, but that is now over.
Woods has played a limited schedule in 2021, four years after he was found drowsy at the wheel in a car crash that left him with serious injuries.
Analysis: How the ‘clear-eyed’ Tiger can benefit golf
Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee said of Tiger Woods:
“It’s great for him and his family to admit that he has a serious problem, and it’s great for the golf world in the future.
Woods was photographed being escorted out of the Martin County Jail after being arrested in a recent car accident.
“He gave us a tremendous amount of talent in the way he competed and played the game, but I think his legacy as an elder statesman could be just as important, if not more important, and more impactful to the future of the game.
“There are some great people in the world of golf who are very bright, thoughtful and positive people, but no one carries the weight of Tiger Woods.
“When Tiger has clear eyes and clear thinking, it’s clear that he’s very smart, very thoughtful, very respectful of the game’s past and very concerned about the game’s future.
“There’s nothing left for him to accomplish in the world of golf. I know he hinted in his statement that he’ll come back stronger than ever as a professional, but he still has a lot to accomplish after that.
“When he comes back to play, you can’t help but think that he pushed himself to the limits of his body and broke it down. He needed surgery and painkillers and was soon back on the treadmill.
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Woods made his TGL return on March 24 when Jupiter Links GC lost to Los Angeles Golf Club, his first appearance in nearly 13 months.
“I hope he gets back to health and never needs to be prescribed painkillers again.
“He likes to be in control and is quite strong-willed, so it was probably difficult for him to admit he needed help.
“He was such a strange genius that many people probably never told him no, what to do. He intimidates people through no fault of his own, just his sheer presence.”
“But no one goes through life unscathed, and that’s when you have to reach out to a friend. He did, and it looks like he got some great advice.”
Watch the Masters live exclusively on Sky Sports Golf from April 9th to 12th. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
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