Tiger Woods
Adam Glanzman, TGL Golf via Getty Images
Tiger Woods will step away from golf for an undetermined period to seek treatment following the Florida crash two Fridays ago that resulted in a DUI charge against the 15-time major champion.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said in a statement posted on social media last Tuesday night. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Woods pleaded not guilty to charges of misdemeanor DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test in connection with the accident in which the vehicle he was driving hit another vehicle and flipped on its side. A Florida judge on Wednesday approved Woods’ request to travel outside the United States for treatment to ensure his privacy, according to multiple reports citing court records.
As a result of his decision to step away, Woods’ work as chairman of the PGA Tour’s future competition committee will cease, at least temporarily, and he has declined the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup captaincy. A PGA Tour spokesman told Sports Business Journal that the committee’s work on the tour’s future schedule will continue without Woods and that the tour expects Woods to return as chairman when he is ready. The PGA of America announced Wednesday that Woods had declined captaining the American squad at Adare Manor in Ireland next year, while Masters chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement that Woods will not attend the tournament this week. READ MORE
“There has to be some accountability … I’ve got a feeling that [Tiger] will disappear, come back in a couple of months, and everything will carry on as normal. I’m not sure if that’s right. It’s not a good message to the kids of today.”
Sir Nick Faldo, commenting on Tiger Woods’ DUI charge and plans to step away from golf to seek treatment.
Faldo and Woods at the 1997 Masters
Sam Greenwood, PGA TOUR Archive
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson will not be in the field at Augusta National this week after having announced last Thursday that he will be out of action for an extended period due to a family health matter.
“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” Mickelson said in a statement posted on social media. “I have great respect for Augusta National Golf Club and it is definitely the most special week of the year. I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”
Mickelson, 55, has made only one competitive start this season, finishing T48 in the LIV Golf South Africa event last month. It will be the first time since 1994 that neither Woods nor Mickelson will be in the Masters field. READ MORE
As he prepared last week to defend his Masters title, Rory McIlroy acknowledged that the pressure accompanying his extended quest for the green jacket and the career Grand Slam is off.
“This is going to be the first time I drive down Magnolia Lane and it’s all going to be about enjoying my week,” the world No. 2 told the United Kingdom news agency PA Media. “You know, enjoying the perks that come along with being a Masters champion: having a parking space in the champions’ car park to using the champions’ locker room, hosting the dinner on Tuesday night.”
It’s tough to get a gauge on where McIlroy is with his game at the moment. He’s made only four PGA Tour starts and one of those resulted in a WD at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a balky back, followed by a tepid T46 at the Players Championship. McIlroy decided not to add a start between the Players and the Masters.
Still, he remains optimistic about his chances of joining Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as a back-to-back Masters winner.
“I’ve won it once, and I feel like that will make it a bit easier for me to win again,” he said. READ MORE
Tap-Ins
The PGA Tour confirmed that the 2027 American Express tournament in La Quinta, California, will be played Jan. 21-24, according to multiple reports, meaning that its season will continue to start in the year’s first month, at least for now. There has been widespread speculation that a reimagined schedule under new CEO Brian Rolapp would start in February. READ MORE
World No. 8 Collin Morikawa withdrew last Tuesday from the Valero Texas Open, where he had been expected to return following his previous withdrawal from last month’s Players Championship due to back spasms. READ MORE
Rory McIlroy has committed to play in the DP World India Championship for the second consecutive year, the DP World Tour announced. The tournament is slated for Oct. 15-18 at Delhi Golf Club. READ MORE
Edoardo Molinari will return as first vice captain of Europe’s Ryder Cup team for the 2027 match at Adare Manor in Ireland, captain Luke Donald said. Molinari, the 45-year-old Italian whose statistical expertise has been a not-so-secret weapon for the European side, previously served as a Donald vice captain in 2023 and 2025. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity
