Tiger Woods Misses Masters Amid DUI Arrest

Jason Day criticizes Woods for putting others at risk by driving under the influence

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of green, brown, and blue, conceptually representing the fractured perspectives and complex emotions surrounding Tiger Woods' absence from the Masters due to his recent DUI arrest.A cubist interpretation of the Masters tournament captures the fragmented perspectives and complex emotions surrounding Tiger Woods' absence due to his recent DUI arrest.Augusta Today

Tiger Woods was a major topic of discussion at the Masters despite his absence, as he faces criticism for his recent arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in Florida. Fellow golfer Jason Day expressed disappointment in Woods' actions, saying it was 'a little bit selfish' to drive while impaired and put others in harm's way. Woods entered a plea of not guilty last week and sought treatment outside the country. This is the second straight year Woods has missed the Masters, with the first being due to a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2025.

Why it matters

Tiger Woods is one of the most iconic and influential figures in golf history, and his absence from the Masters is notable. His recent DUI arrest has sparked a debate around accountability and responsibility for high-profile athletes, especially those who have struggled with injuries and personal issues in recent years.

The details

Florida authorities determined Woods was impaired on March 27 when his Land Rover struck a trailer and flipped on its side on a residential street. They found two painkiller pills in his pocket. Woods was arrested and briefly jailed for refusing to submit to a urine test. He entered a plea of not guilty last week and sought treatment outside the country.

  • On March 27, Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
  • Last week, Woods entered a plea of not guilty and sought treatment outside the country.

The players

Tiger Woods

A legendary professional golfer who has won 5 Masters titles, the last in 2019. He has struggled with injuries and personal issues in recent years, including a DUI arrest in 2017 and a severe leg injury in 2021.

Jason Day

An Australian professional golfer who reached the world #1 ranking a decade ago. He is critical of Woods' decision to drive while impaired, saying it was 'a little bit selfish' and put others at risk.

Nick Faldo

A former professional golfer and current golf commentator who was critical of Woods, saying there needs to be 'responsibility and accountability' beyond just 'caring for Tiger'.

Phil Mickelson

A three-time Masters champion who is also skipping this year's tournament due to a family health matter.

Harris English

A professional golfer who credits Woods' 1997 Masters win as the reason he got into golf, and believes Woods will 'get through this' and 'has a big fight ahead of him'.

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What they’re saying

“He's just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. It's unfortunate. The only thing that I don't understand is that it's a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm's way, as well.”

— Jason Day, Professional Golfer

“Forget about golf. We are not meant to be on the streets with two pills in our pocket. The bottom line is that I really think that this is a serious issue and something should be done that is a little bit more serious than waving him off to a tropical island and saying, 'Welcome back,' in three or four months or whatever it might be.”

— Nick Faldo, Former Professional Golfer and Golf Commentator

“He's such a legend in this game, somebody I looked up to. Watching him win around this place in '97 is kind of the reason I started getting into golf. I know he's going to get through this. He has a big fight ahead of him. He's a fighter. That's what he does.”

— Harris English, Professional Golfer

What’s next

Woods is seeking treatment outside the country, and it remains to be seen when he will return to competitive golf. The legal process around his DUI arrest is also ongoing.

The takeaway

Tiger Woods' absence from the Masters due to his recent DUI arrest has sparked a wider discussion around accountability and responsibility for high-profile athletes, especially those who have faced personal and health challenges in recent years. While many still view Woods as a golf legend, his actions have drawn criticism from fellow players and commentators, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that considers both care and consequences.