Tiger Woods was absent from the Masters tournament while undergoing “intense” treatment at a rehabilitation facility following his DUI arrest last month.
The golfing legend escaped injury in the crash but was arrested and subsequently charged with driving under the influence, property damage, and refusing to submit a urine test. Woods entered a not guilty plea to the charges and is scheduled to appear in court on May 5. It comes as Charlie Woods endures nightmare golf return after dad’s arrest.
Before the accident, Woods had planned to participate in the Masters, a tournament he has captured five times.
Despite flipping his SUV, the 50-year-old informed responding police officers at the scene that he still planned to compete at Augusta National, which was less than two weeks away at that point.
In the end, he decided to withdraw from competitive golf “to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,” Woods posted on social media. Rory McIlroy subsequently secured his second consecutive Green Jacket to become the first player since Woods in 2002 to win the Masters in consecutive years.
During the tournament, speculation was rife about Woods’ whereabouts and whether he might make a surprise appearance. The Daily Mail has now shed light on his location and just how closely he was following golf’s most prestigious major.
While undergoing rehabilitation in Switzerland, Woods was reportedly far more focused on his treatment than the events unfolding at Augusta National.
“Tiger paid casual attention to the Masters, but is more focused on recovery,” a source told the Daily Mail. “He’s getting both physical and psychological attention.”
Although the precise details of his rehabilitation remain undisclosed, the 50-year-old is believed to be under the care of a pain management doctor “who is helping him deal with his body pain without addictive opioids.”
Prior to the crash, Woods had been preparing to make his competitive return to golf for the first time in more than 16 months, having missed the entirety of 2025 while recovering from a ruptured Achilles and back surgery — the seventh procedure of his professional career.
Although Woods’ absence was deeply felt at the Masters — a tournament he has made his own through countless iconic moments and five Green Jacket victories — the prevailing view remains that his recovery takes precedence over everything else at this stage.
Should Woods’ rehabilitation continue on track, there remains a possibility that he could make his return to the golf course at some point later this year. This follows news that Scottie Scheffler forfeited $1 million of his Masters prize money just days after his runner-up finish at Augusta National.