The 90th edition of the Masters began with a ceremonial tradition, but the conversation quickly shifted from the fairways of Augusta National to the personal struggles of one of golf’s most iconic figures. Gary Player, the 90-year-old South African legend and three-time Masters champion, has urged Tiger Woods to stop driving and hire a chauffeur following the golfer’s recent legal troubles in Florida.
Speaking at a news conference on April 9, 2026, after hitting a ceremonial first tee shot alongside Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, Player offered a blend of empathy and firm advice. While Player expressed understanding regarding the chronic pain and sleep deprivation Woods has faced due to years of surgeries and injuries, he maintained that operating a vehicle while medicated is an unacceptable risk.
The call for Woods to get a chauffeur comes amid a turbulent period for the 50-year-old athlete, who was attempting to compete in the 2026 Masters before a car accident and subsequent arrest disrupted his plans. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about athlete health, recovery, and the dangers of prescription medication usage.
A Call for Safety: Player’s Advice to Tiger Woods
Gary Player did not mince words when asked about the situation facing the 15-time major champion. While he explicitly stated he does not blame Woods for using medication to manage pain and insomnia, he believes the solution to avoiding further accidents is simple: removing himself from the driver’s seat.
“All you got to do is don’t drive a car and get a chauffeur,” Player said, noting that he himself no longer drives despite believing his reflexes remain sharp. “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,” Player added during the April 9 news conference.
Player’s comments highlight a tension between the necessity of pain management for an athlete with Woods’ medical history and the safety requirements of public roads. The South African legend emphasized that the human tendency to be critical is high, but the priority must be safety, and health.
Details of the Florida Arrest and Legal Charges
The catalyst for Player’s remarks was a rollover crash involving Woods in Jupiter Island, Florida. According to arrest affidavits and court records, Woods was driving his Range Rover when he collided with a pickup truck, causing his SUV to flip on its side. While Woods was able to climb out of the vehicle on his own and no injuries were reported, the aftermath led to serious legal complications.
On March 27, Woods was arrested after police found two hydrocodone pills in his pocket. He was formally charged on Wednesday, April 8, with misdemeanor DUI and refusing to take a chemical or physical test of his breath or urine according to court records. Woods is facing a ticket for distracted driving, a moving violation, after admitting to police that he was looking at his phone prior to clipping the back of a trailer.
Woods has entered a plea of not guilty regarding the DUI charges. The incident is not the first time the golfer has faced significant automotive trauma; in 2021, he was involved in a crash in Southern California that nearly cost him his leg.
Health Struggles and the Path to Treatment
The context of Woods’ current situation is deeply tied to a grueling history of physical ailments. The 50-year-old has spent recent years battling numerous injuries, including a ruptured Achilles in March 2025 and a lumbar disc replacement surgery in October. This latest back procedure marked at least the seventh back surgery of his career.
Player expressed deep sympathy for these challenges, stating, “My heart goes out for him. There’s nothing worse than living in pain every day of your life.” This physical toll is believed to be the driver behind Woods’ use of medication for pain and sleep deprivation.
In response to these events, Woods announced on March 31 that he would be stepping away from competitive golf and his administrative duties with the PGA Tour to seek “comprehensive inpatient treatment.” A judge granted Woods’ request to seek this treatment outside the United States due to privacy concerns. Reports indicate that Woods is currently at a facility in Switzerland after his plane landed there to focus on his health.
Timeline of Recent Events
| Date | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| March 2025 | Injury | Ruptured Achilles tendon |
| October 2025 | Surgery | Lumbar disc replacement (7th back surgery) |
| March 27, 2026 | Incident | Rollover crash in Jupiter Island, FL; arrested for DUI |
| March 31, 2026 | Announcement | Stepping away from golf for inpatient treatment |
| April 8, 2026 | Legal Action | Formally charged with misdemeanor DUI and refusing test |
| April 9, 2026 | Public Comment | Gary Player urges Woods to hire a chauffeur at the Masters |
The Impact on the 2026 Masters
The timing of the crash and arrest meant that Woods was unable to compete in the 90th Masters. His absence was felt not only in the tournament brackets but in the pre-tournament atmosphere, as fellow golfers and legends alike weighed in on his condition. Bubba Watson expressed hope that Woods “can come back stronger” following the arrest.
For the golf world, the situation represents a crossroads for one of the game’s greatest figures. The transition from an active competitor to someone managing chronic, debilitating pain is a journey many athletes face, but the legal ramifications of Woods’ approach to that pain have now grow a matter of public record.
Gary Player’s insistence that Woods get a chauffeur serves as a pragmatic plea for the safety of both the athlete and the public, suggesting that while medication may be necessary for survival and sleep, the responsibility of driving must be relinquished.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Woods involves his ongoing inpatient treatment in Switzerland and the resolution of his misdemeanor DUI charges in Florida. We will provide updates as court dates or official health statements are released.
What are your thoughts on Gary Player’s advice to Tiger Woods? Do you believe athletes should be more transparent about their recovery struggles? Share your comments below.