Masters Keeps Tiger Woods in Field After Car Accident

The golf tournament will allow Woods to compete despite his recent SUV rollover incident.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:33am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-perspective scene of a golf tournament, with sharp, overlapping planes representing the uncertainty and tension surrounding Tiger Woods' participation after his recent car accident.The Masters' decision to keep Tiger Woods in the field for the upcoming tournament raises questions about his ability to compete at the highest level after a recent car accident.Augusta Today

The Masters golf tournament has decided to keep Tiger Woods in the field for the upcoming event, despite the 15-time major champion being involved in a car accident just over a week before the tournament. Woods was able to pull himself from the passenger side of his flipped SUV and did not suffer any significant injuries, but the timing of the accident raised questions about his participation.

Why it matters

Tiger Woods is one of the biggest draws in professional golf, and his inclusion or exclusion from the Masters would have a major impact on viewership and fan interest in the tournament. The decision by Augusta National to keep Woods in the field suggests they believe he will be able to compete, which will be a relief to many golf fans eager to see the legendary player in action.

The details

According to reports, Woods was attempting to overtake a turning truck pulling a pressure cleaner at a high rate of speed when he clipped the back of the truck with his Land Rover. His SUV then flipped onto the driver's side and slid before coming to rest in the direction of oncoming traffic. Woods was able to pull himself out of the passenger's side and did not appear to suffer any significant injuries.

  • The car accident occurred on Friday, March 27, just over a week before the Masters tournament is set to begin on April 9.
  • On Monday, March 30, Augusta National Golf Club updated the field for the Masters and Woods remained listed as a participant.

The players

Tiger Woods

A 15-time major champion and one of the most famous and successful golfers of all time.

Augusta National Golf Club

The private golf club that hosts the annual Masters Tournament, one of the four major championships in professional golf.

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What they’re saying

“The Masters has updated its field list to include Gary Woodland and those who qualified via OWGR. The field is at 93 with one more possible this week in San Antonio. Tiger remains listed in the field.”

— Bob Harig, Golf reporter

“I said I've been working on it. Sometimes I have good days, sometimes I have bad days. Disk replacement is not a lot of fun.”

— Tiger Woods

“So as I said, I've had a lot of procedures prior to that, so the body doesn't quite heal like it was when I was 24. Doesn't quite bounce back. So I have good days when I can pretty much do anything, and other days where it's hard to just to move around.”

— Tiger Woods

What’s next

The Masters tournament is scheduled to begin on April 9, and golf fans will be closely watching to see if Tiger Woods is able to compete after his recent car accident.

The takeaway

The decision by the Masters to keep Tiger Woods in the field despite his recent car accident highlights the tournament's desire to have the legendary golfer participate, even as he continues to recover from his latest back surgery. Woods' inclusion will be a major draw for fans, but his ability to compete at a high level remains uncertain given his ongoing health issues.