Former US PGA champion Jason Day has expressed his criticism of Tiger Woods for driving under the influence, calling him ‘a little bit selfish’ for putting others in harm’s way, according to the BBC. Woods, 50, was arrested and charged after an incident involving his car near his home in Florida last month.

Details of the Arrest

The 15-time major champion was charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test following an incident where he clipped a truck and rolled his car. According to the arrest report. Woods was found with two white pills in his pocket, identified as hydrocodone, an opioid used to treat pain.

Woods submitted a written plea of not guilty via his lawyers last week and was granted permission by a judge to seek treatment overseas. The incident has drawn mixed reactions. With Day acknowledging that Woods was once his hero and still is, but expressing concern over the actions that led to his arrest.

Day’s Perspective

Day, who is preparing to take part in the Masters, which starts on Thursday, said, ‘He was my hero – he is my hero.’ He added, ‘The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger.’

Day acknowledged the difficulty Woods might be facing, saying, ‘It’s hard to see him go through what he’s going through, and especially under the microscope… it must be hard to be who he is and have everything, everyone look on, kind of down on him.’

However, Day also expressed confusion over Woods’ decision to drive under the influence, stating, ‘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.’

Day noted that Woods, as a strong-willed player, might believe he could handle the situation, which could explain his actions. He added, ‘He thinks he can do almost anything, and that’s probably why he’s probably driving and a little bit under the influence.’

Medical Context

In the arrest affidavit, an officer described Woods as ‘sweating profusely,’ with ‘extremely dilated’ pupils and ‘lethargic and slow’ movements. Woods, a five-time Masters champion, will not be at Augusta National for the season’s first major and has also turned down the role of United States Ryder Cup captain next year in Ireland.

No one was injured in the crash, and Woods claimed he had not drunk alcohol that day. When asked if he had taken any prescription medication, he replied, ‘I take a few.’

Woods has undergone numerous surgeries throughout his career, including his seventh back surgery last year. Day, who was Masters runner-up in 2011, mentioned that Woods has had between 25 to 30 surgeries, which can be painful during recovery.

Day said, ‘He’s had 25 to 30 something surgeries, and when you’re going through that many procedures, it’s painful coming out of those procedures. I’ve had procedures done and I typically try and stay away from all that stuff because I just know that… painkillers, there can potentially be a downfall to it.’

Day concluded, ‘Granted, when I look at that, I look at it and go, he’s just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. It’s unfortunate.’

The absence of Woods from the Masters has been noted by several golfers, including American Harris English, who praised Woods for being a legend in the game. English said, ‘He’s such a legend in this game, somebody I looked up to. 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.’

It will be the first Masters since 1994 that does not feature either three-time winner Phil Mickelson or Woods. Mickelson, 55, is stepping away from golf ‘for an extended period’ due to a family health matter.

Patrick Reed, who won the Masters in 2018, said, ‘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. But at the same time, we want them to come back and be healthy and ready to go.’