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Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player know all about the laughs of golf. The legendary duo combined for nine green jackets among their total of 27 major victories.
Tiger Woods has won the Masters five times, and while he will be absent from Augusta this year, he is still in the national spotlight following his arrest last month.
Amid a broken body, Woods has undergone nearly 30 surgeries on his back and legs, and during his DUI arrest, authorities said deputies found pills identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid pain reliever.
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Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Gary Player watch before the former Champions Dinner ahead of the 150th Open at St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland on 12 July 2022. (Stuart Kerr/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
“Do I blame him for taking medication? Hell, no. He’s sleep deprived. Do I blame him for taking something to help him sleep? No,” Player said Thursday at Augusta, via ESPN .
But Player said Woods needs to be smarter with his decision-making.
“I don’t think he should drive. When you take that medicine, it’s dangerous when you drive, just like it’s dangerous when you look at your cell phone in the car.”
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To make matters worse, Woods admitted to authorities after the crash that he had been looking at his phone. Woods pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence, but announced he would “seek treatment” after his arrest.
Tiger Woods was drowsy after being arrested. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
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“My heart goes out to him,” Player said. “There’s nothing worse than living in pain every day of your life. You can’t think of anything worse. I just hope he can get it all sorted because he’s an asset to golf and has done so much for the game.”
Nicklaus added, “Whatever you need to help you and come back, because I think golf needs him and we would love to have him back.”
Woods was granted permission on April 1 to travel out of the country “to enter into extensive inpatient treatment.” He is believed to be at a facility in Switzerland.
Tiger Woods went through several drills before being handcuffed. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
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Authorities said in a court order that a subpoena will be issued later this month for Woods’ prescription drugs from Jan. 1 to the day of his crash.
