Gary Player Advises Tiger Woods to Get a Chauffeur After DUI Arrest

The Masters honorary starter says Woods should stop driving if he continues taking medication.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:53pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a crashed car, shattered glass, and scattered golf clubs on a golf course, conceptually representing the difficulties Tiger Woods faces in safely operating a vehicle while managing his medical issues.A fractured, cubist illustration captures the aftermath of Tiger Woods' car crash, exposing the challenges the golf legend faces in managing his health and driving.Jupiter Island Today

Gary Player, one of the honorary starters at the 2026 Masters, expressed empathy for Tiger Woods following his recent DUI arrest. However, Player believes the solution is simple - Woods should stop driving and get a chauffeur if he continues taking medication for pain and sleep issues.

Why it matters

Woods' legal troubles and ongoing health problems have raised concerns about his ability to safely operate a vehicle, especially when taking prescription medications. Player's advice highlights the importance of responsible decision-making and prioritizing safety for high-profile athletes like Woods.

The details

Player said he does not blame Woods for taking medication to manage his pain and sleep deprivation, but warned that driving under the influence of those medications is dangerous. Woods was recently arrested for DUI after an incident near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida, where officers found prescription medication in his possession. Florida prosecutors are seeking to subpoena Woods' prescription records as part of the case.

  • On March 27, Woods was involved in a single-car crash near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida.
  • On April 7, Florida prosecutors said they want to issue a subpoena seeking copies of 'any and all prescription medication on file' for Woods as part of the case.
  • On April 9, Player made his comments about Woods' situation at a news conference ahead of the 2026 Masters tournament.

The players

Gary Player

A 90-year-old South African professional golfer and one of the honorary starters at the 2026 Masters tournament.

Tiger Woods

A 50-year-old American professional golfer who was planning to play in the 2026 Masters but had to withdraw after a recent car crash near his home in Jupiter Island, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“All you got to do is don't drive a car and get a chauffeur.”

— Gary Player, Masters Honorary Starter

“Do I blame him for taking medicine? Hell no. He has sleep deprivation. Do I blame him for taking something to help him sleep? No. But I don't think he should drive a car. When you're taking that medicine, it's dangerous when you're driving a car. Same as it's dangerous when you look at your cell phone in the car.”

— Gary Player, Masters Honorary Starter

What’s next

Florida prosecutors are expected to issue a subpoena seeking copies of any prescription medication on file for Tiger Woods as part of the case related to his recent DUI arrest.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of responsible decision-making and prioritizing safety for high-profile athletes like Tiger Woods, who must carefully manage their health and medication use to avoid potentially dangerous situations like driving under the influence.