Tiger Woods will miss The Masters following his decision to take a break from golf following his car crash, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley has confirmed.
Woods revealed on Tuesday that he was “stepping away for a period of time” in order to “seek treatment” after the incident in Florida last Friday that led to him being charged with driving under the influence.
He has pleaded not guilty but admitted to looking at his phone moments before the crash, with a police report stating Woods had two hydrocodone pills – an opioid used to treat severe pain – in his pocket after being searched.
The 15-time major champion – a five-time winner of The Masters, most recently in 2019 – did not say he would definitely sit out the first major of the season from April 9-12, live on Sky Sports.
But Ridley later said in a statement: “Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being.
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A look back at the highlights from Woods’ historic five wins at Augusta National
“Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta.”
Even if he had not played in Georgia, Woods was scheduled to attend a Sunday ceremony for the opening of ‘The Patch’, a municipal course in Augusta he helped design.
The 50-year-old was also expected to attend the Champions Dinner on April 7, which this year will be served by Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman triumphed in 2025 to complete the career Grand Slam.
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Sheriff John Budensiek confirmed on March 27 that Woods had been arrested and charged with driving under the influence
Woods was absent at Augusta last year due to injury and has not played in an outdoor tournament since missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship.
A return for Jupiter Links Golf Club against Los Angeles in the TGL finals in late March, his first action in 13 months, raised hopes he could tee it up at The Masters, but they are now over.
Woods has played a limited schedule since a serous 2021 car crash that left him with significant injuries, four years after he was found asleep at the wheel.
Analysis: Masters would have been ‘circus’ had Tiger played
Sky Sports Golf podcast host and Sky Sports News reporter Jamie Weir:
“I think it is the correct response that he is not at The Masters. I think it would have been a complete circus, a complete sideshow
“In terms of whether this could be the end of his golf career, I think as golf fans if we are being completely honest that was a long time ago. We haven’t seen him complete in any meaningful sense in seven years.
Woods has won The Masters five times, most recently in 2019
“I think we will see Tiger on a golf course again but I don’t think he will ever be competitive again. Ever since his car crash in 2021, when he was very lucky to keep his leg, it has been an uphill struggle.
“He might be the only person who feels his one good swing from finding something and competing in tournaments again but I now hope he embraces his role as a ceremonial golfer and a legend of the game.
“As golf fans, we need to stop putting unnecessary pressure on Tiger to see him in the game again as golf is in a healthy state without him.
“The immediate question is what his means for his role on the PGA Tour board and developing that tour, while it also seems extremely unlikely that he will be the next US Ryder Cup captain.”
Analysis: How golf will benefit from a ‘clear-eyed’ Tiger
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Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee says Tiger Woods’ decision to step away and seek help could mark a powerful new role as an elder statesman shaping golf’s future
Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, on Tiger Woods:
“To see him acknowledge that he has got a serious problem is great for him and his family and far down the road it is great for the game of golf.
Woods was pictured being driven from Martin County Jail after being arrested for his latest car crash
“He’s gifted us enormously with his competition and the way he’s played the game, but I think what’s left for him as an elder statesman could be as important – or even more important, more impactful – to the future of the game.
“There are some marvellous people in golf who are very bright, thoughtful and forward thinking – but no one carries the weight of Tiger Woods.
“When Tiger is clear-eyed and clear thinking, it is obvious he is very smart, very thoughtful, very respectful of the game’s past and very concerned with the game’s future.
“There is nothing left for him to achieve in the world of golf. I know in his statement he alluded to coming back stronger than ever professionally but he has so much to achieve after that.
“Coming back to compete, I can’t help but think he has pushed himself to his physical limits and his body breaks down. It requires surgery, pain medication and you get right back on that treadmill.
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Woods made his TGL comeback during Jupiter Links GC’s defeat to Los Angeles Golf Club on March 24, his first appearance in nearly 13 months
“I hope he finds his way back to being healthy and never has cause again to be prescribed pain medication.
“He likes being in control and is pretty strong-willed so it probably was hard for him to admit he needs help.
“He has been such a freakish genius that he has probably not had many people tell him no, tell him what to do. He intimidates people through no fault of his own, just through his sheer presence
“But no one goes through life unscathed and it’s at those moments you have to reach out to your friends. It sounds like he did and it sounds like he got great advice.”
Watch The Masters exclusively live from April 9-12 on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.
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