The mugshot from the arrest of Tiger Woods is devastating. The image taken at midnight by the paparazzi, in the driver's seat of a Cadillac fleeing from the back door of the prison, with a lost look, is even worse. It's not the first, it's not the most serious, but the golf world warns these days that if his family and friends don't do something, if he doesn't get help soon, it won't be the last either.
The golfer, 50, was released last night from the cell where he spent the entire Friday afternoon after being arrested for driving "under the influence of substances," after causing a traffic accident, fortunately without injuries. It happened in Jupiter Island, Florida, very close to his residence and where he had a similar incident years ago. Woods was driving above the speed limit in a residential area and collided with a pickup truck trying to turn onto a road. His car, a large Land Rover, overturned on the left side, but the athlete managed to get out unharmed by climbing to the other side.
The police questioned both drivers and conducted an alcohol test on Woods, which was negative. But upon realizing that he was not in full capacity, and admitting his pain problems and the medications he is receiving, he was arrested. At the police station, Woods refused to take a urine test. "I feel very sorry for him. He has... he has some difficulties," lamented U.S. President Donald Trump, also from Florida. "There was an accident, and that's all I know. He is a very close friend of mine. An incredible person, an incredible man... but with some difficulties," Trump added.
It's no secret, Woods has a drug problem, with prescribed pain medications, after seven back surgeries and several more on his leg, a serious Achilles tendon injury, and a brutal accident in 2021. He had shown his problems before, as yesterday's was the fourth driving accident or incident he has been involved in. In the past, he has been admitted to a clinic at least once to address his addiction to painkillers, according to The New York Post.
A friend of the golfer, quoted by the New York newspaper, says that the medications are not the problem or not the only one, and that Woods drives "like a bat out of hell," too fast, very recklessly. He has always done it, but now it's getting worse.
Sources from the circuit cited by Golf.com say that his problems are an open secret. That Woods has always had trouble sleeping well, and hence some prescribed medications. That he is a person who wakes up early, but from noon onwards... he has difficulties. "It has been an open secret in the tight circle surrounding Tiger Woods for years: if you want to have a serious conversation with him—whether about his charitable and architectural work, the future of the PGA Tour, or his 15 victories in Grand Slam tournaments—you have to do it in the morning. It is well known that Woods sleeps poorly and wakes up early. The general impression one gets, according to people with knowledge, is that—if you are part of that circle—you can approach him early in the day. As the day progresses, Woods becomes less accessible and less predictable. This is not idle or malicious speculation; rather, they are observations born out of affection, out of concern."
The American press woke up this Saturday with a unanimous message: "he needs help." Dozens of sports journalists, columnists, and presenters, affected by the relapse of one of the great idols of the 20th century, have spoken out in the same vein. "His life off the field continues to plummet. Friday afternoon's accident is just another bright red line in a clear and unequivocal message to Woods: seek help. And do it soon," said Jay Busbee of Yahoo! Sports.
"Tiger Woods needs help. Not an expensive lawyer capable of making the charges for driving under the influence of alcohol disappear. Not a public relations expert who invents excuses for him. Not flatterers who tell him how wonderful he is and minimize the recklessness of his actions. As soon as he is released from the Martin County jail in Florida, Woods must go directly to a rehabilitation center and stay there for as long as necessary to overcome his addiction," writes Nancy Armour, a sports columnist for USA TODAY. "It's so sad, it's disturbing, and it's frankly outrageous. Why isn't he getting help?" exclaimed Christine Brennan, a sports analyst for CNN.
Messages also come from other legends. "My mother was killed by a drunk driver. I hope he wakes up, sir. Woods," tweeted Wade Boggs, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Woods, who has turned 50, returned to competition this week precisely after being absent from the tour since 2024. Testing himself for the challenging dream of participating in the upcoming Masters Tournament at Augusta, something tough in itself without being physically at 100%. But he already proved, after the brutal crash in 2021 that almost cost him his leg, that even half-lame he could make the cut at Augusta time and time again. Additionally, he has registered to compete in his first Senior Open in July at Scioto, the Ohio course where Jack Nicklaus, the player with 18 majors, learned to play, a record now completely impossible to reach.
The incident also creates a problem for the PGA. In practical terms, Woods is more an executive than a golfer. He is the vice president of PGA Tour Enterprises, with an almost permanent position on the board created and reserved exclusively for him. On top of that, he chairs the Future Competition Committee, the group responsible for designing a new model for professional golf. And everyone wants him to be the captain of the U.S. team in the 2027 Ryder Cup. A lot of pressure.