Tiger Woods’ chances of playing at The Masters look slim after his latest car crash, but former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley says the 15-time major champion has “bigger challenges” than deciding whether to play at Augusta National.
Woods was arrested after his vehicle rolled following a collision with a trailer in Florida on Friday and was charged with driving under the influence. He was later released on bail. Woods walked away from the accident unhurt, but the incident has raised fresh doubt over his appearance at next month’s Masters.
Asked whether Woods’ participation at Augusta now looked unlikely, McGinley told Sky Sports News: “I would think so. I would say his whole life is in turmoil at this moment in time. I’d be surprised if we see him at the Masters. I think he’s got much bigger challenges going on than whether he plays in the Masters or not at the moment. A whole reconsideration of how he’s living his life and the challenges he has [is in order].”
McGinley noted Woods is also managing ongoing physical issues: “He is obviously coming back from serious injury again — last year he had more back surgery — and he’s recovering from that, trying to get himself up to speed and rush to get ready for the Masters.” He pointed to Woods’ recent TGL appearance, saying the 50-year-old showed impressive swing speed and competitive intent despite walking with a limp from prior crash injuries, but added: “I think this is really going to set him back.”
Despite the setback, McGinley did not rule out a future competitive return. “I wouldn’t discount that [Woods playing again],” he said. “He’s got a heart the size of a lion, and he loves playing golf, he loves competing, and he’s now 50 years of age, so he can play in Seniors golf. Although he might not want to play the run‑of‑the‑mill tournaments on the Seniors Tour, I think the Majors — like they’ve always done — will really excite him. And he can certainly play on the main tour in a cart as well, which will help with his injured foot. So I don’t think we’ve seen the end of him as a competitive player. He’s a competitive animal by nature, and I think that once he deals with whatever issues he’s got going on at the moment, settles his life, and looks at a new pathway, golf is certainly going to be part of that.”
Woods is currently listed in the Masters field as a past champion and has no deadline to commit, giving him time to decide if he is physically ready to return. He used the 2022 Masters as a comeback less than 14 months after a serious car crash that left him with leg and ankle injuries, finishing 47th after two 78s on the weekend. He withdrew before the final day of the 2023 event after cold weather aggravated plantar fasciitis, leaving him struggling to walk. In 2024 he made a record 24th consecutive cut at the Masters but carded a third-round 82 — the worst round of his major career — and finished last among those who made the weekend.
Woods missed much of last year’s major season due to an Achilles injury. His five Masters victories came in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019, leaving him one behind Jack Nicklaus’ record of six wins at Augusta National.