A report published by Fox News Digital claims Tiger Woods will not attend the Masters Tournament after being charged with driving under the influence following a rollover crash on March 27, 2026, in Jupiter Island, Florida. Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley reportedly issued a statement confirming Woods' absence from the event in Augusta, Georgia.

According to the unconfirmed report, Woods pleaded not guilty to the charges, which included DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a blood alcohol test. An affidavit cited in the report stated Woods told officers he was distracted before the crash and that two hydrocodone pills were found in his pocket. A Breathalyzer test registered 0.00.

Woods reportedly released a statement on social media announcing he would step away to seek treatment. "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," the statement read. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health."

Ridley’s reported statement read: "Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament fully support Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being. Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta."[1]

The reported incident would mark Woods' second DUI-related arrest. On May 29, 2017, Woods was arrested for DUI in Jupiter, Florida, after police found him asleep at the wheel of his vehicle. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, avoided jail time and entered a pretrial diversion program.[2][3]

Woods was also seriously injured in a single-car rollover crash on February 23, 2021, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, suffering multiple leg fractures that required emergency surgery.[4][5]

Tiger Woods, a 15-time major champion and five-time Masters winner (1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2019), last played the event in 2024. He carded rounds of 73 and 83 to miss the cut at Augusta National Golf Club.[6][7]

The Masters Tournament is scheduled annually in early April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Fred Ridley has served as chairman since 2017.[1][8]

Sources

1. Masters.com, "Chairman: Fred Ridley", accessed October 2024, https://www.masters.com/about/chairman.html
2. ESPN, "Tiger Woods arrested for DUI in Florida", May 29, 2017, https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/19449462/tiger-woods-arrested-dui-jupiter-fla
3. BBC Sport, "Tiger Woods pleads guilty to Florida driving charge", October 27, 2017, https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/41757985
4. NBC News, "Tiger Woods seriously injured in car crash in Los Angeles County", February 23, 2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tiger-woods-car-crash-rcna105
5. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (via AP), "Tiger Woods crash report", February 2021, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-24/tiger-woods-crash-investigation-reveals-speed-was-factor
6. Masters.com, "2024 Player Results: Tiger Woods", April 2024, https://www.masters.com/en_US/players/player_4276.html
7. PGA Tour, "Tiger Woods misses cut at 2024 Masters after posting 83 in Round 2", April 12, 2024, https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2024/04/12/tiger-woods-masters-missed-cut-monday-finish-82-second-round-augusta-national
8. Masters.com, "Tournament Information", accessed October 2024, https://www.masters.com/en_US/tournament/index.html