Police found him with two prescription painkiller pills. Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and 90-year-old South African Player struck the ceremonial opening tee shots at Augusta National. Woods, a 15-time major winner, pleaded not guilty after being arrested following a car crash near his home in Florida.
Golf legend Gary Player, speaking at the Masters on Thursday, called on Tiger Woods to “get a chauffeur” after his DUI arrest last month. “Just (wishing you) whatever you need to help you and get back, because I think golf needs him and we’d love to have him back,” said Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 majors, when asked if he had a message for Woods.
Background
“Many operations on his leg and his back, so he’s in pain. “There’s nothing worse than living in pain every day of your life. “I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
Asked about his advice for Woods, Player said he needs to avoid getting behind a steering wheel due to his need for painkillers. Watson said he would issue life bans to former PGA Tour players who jumped to Saudi-backed LIV Golf rather than welcome back five-time major winner Brooks Koepka as the tour has or 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed, who seeks a comeback.
“Think of the excruciating pain that this man has been going through for a long time,” Player said of Woods. “My heart goes out for him,” said Player. “Rory has got the monkey off his back and I think he has a very good chance to repeat,” Nicklaus said. “It was a nice way to finish a career,” Nicklaus said.
Key Achievements
Nicklaus, 86, won six of his record 18 major titles at the Masters while Player captured three of his nine majors at Augusta National and Watson, 76, took two Masters titles and five British Opens among his eight major wins.
