Masters Without Tiger: Golf Legends Call Woods "Selfish" After DUI Arrest

The 2026 Masters Tournament will mark a historic low point for professional golf, as both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will be absent from Augusta National for the first time since 1994. While Mickelson steps away for family health reasons, Woods's absence stems from more troubling circumstances following his recent arrest for driving under the influence.

Jason Day, the former world number one from Australia, delivered perhaps the most pointed criticism of Woods's actions, calling the 15-time major champion "a little bit selfish" for his decision to drive while impaired. Day's comments reflect the complex emotions within the golf community as they grapple with their hero's latest legal troubles.

"He was my hero - he is my hero," Day explained while preparing for this week's Masters. "The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger. It's hard to see him go through what he's going through, and especially under the microscope."

Despite his admiration for Woods, Day couldn't overlook the serious nature of the incident. "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," he continued. "But when you're the player that he was and how strong-willed he is, he thinks he can do almost anything."

The arrest affidavit paints a troubling picture of Woods's condition during the incident. According to police reports, Woods was "sweating profusely," displayed "extremely dilated" pupils, and exhibited movements described as "lethargic and slow." These details have only heightened concerns about the golf legend's well-being.

This latest setback represents another chapter in what has become an increasingly difficult period for Woods. The five-time Masters champion has not played a major championship since the 2024 Open Championship and has participated in only five of the past 16 major tournaments, withdrawing from two of those events.

Woods has also declined the opportunity to serve as United States Ryder Cup captain for next year's competition in Ireland, a role many believed would provide him with a meaningful way to remain connected to elite golf even as his playing career winds down.

Harris English, among other tour professionals, offered more supportive words for Woods during this difficult time. "He's such a legend in this game, somebody I looked up to," English stated. "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."

The absence of both Woods and Mickelson creates an unprecedented void at Augusta National. These two players have been central figures in Masters lore for over two decades, combining for eight green jackets between them. Their rivalry and individual achievements have defined multiple eras of professional golf.

Patrick Reed, who captured the Masters title in 2018, acknowledged the significant impact their absence will have on the sport. "Let's be honest, without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the events, in golf, when they both step away, honestly I feel it hurts the game of golf," Reed observed. "But at the same time, we want them to come back and be healthy and ready to go."

For Woods, this Masters absence serves as a stark reminder of how far he has fallen from the pinnacle of professional golf. His 2019 Masters victory, his 15th major championship and first in over a decade, seemed to signal a remarkable comeback story. Instead, it may have represented the final chapter of one of sport's greatest careers.

The golf world now watches and waits, hoping that Woods can address his personal challenges and find a path forward. While his playing days may be numbered, many still believe he has contributions to make to the sport that launched him to global stardom.

As the Masters proceeds without its most iconic modern figure, the tournament's magic will undoubtedly feel diminished. Golf fans worldwide can only hope that this absence marks a turning point toward recovery rather than the beginning of a more permanent departure from the sport Woods helped transform.