Gary Player makes Tiger Woods plea as 15-time major champ suffers fresh legal headache

Multiple major champion Gary Player has pleaded with Tiger Woods to stop driving. 

The 15-time major champion is a notable absentee from this week's Masters after being arrested on charges of driving under the influence on 27 March. 

Woods, 50, rolled his Land Rover after clipping the rear of a trailer near his Florida home. 

The 82-time PGA Tour winner - who has denied the charge through his attorneys - is currently in Switzerland seeking treatment. 

Player told reporters after getting the 90th edition of the tournament underway as an honorary starter that his heart goes out to Woods, but pleaded with the golf legend to get a chauffeur. 

"Think of the excruciating pain that this man has been going through for a long time," Player told reporters, adding that Woods has undergone at least 20 operations throughout his illustrious career. 

"He's in pain," said Player. "Do I blame him for taking medicine? Hell, no. He has sleep deprivation. Do I blame him for taking something to help him sleep? No. But I don't think he should drive a car. 

"When you're taking that medicine, it's dangerous when you're driving a car, same as it's dangerous when you look at your cell phone in the car. There's 6,000 accidents a day in motor cars.

"So I think all he's got to do is just not drive a car and get a chauffeur. My reflexes, I think, are as good as when I was 20, but I don't drive anymore. I get a chauffeur. I think that's the answer to it.

"But my heart goes out for him. There's nothing worse than living in pain every day of your life. 

"You can't think of anything worse. I just hope he can get it all sorted out because he's such an asset to golf and has done so much for the game."

Sitting alongside Player, Jack Nicklaus echoed his sentiments. 

"I think golf needs him, and we'd love to have him back," said the Golden Bear of Woods, who has also been charged with property damage and refusal to submit a lawful test. 

Fresh legal headache

Player's comments come as prosecutors are seeking all the records connected to Woods' prescription medications, including dosage warnings about driving after taking pills. 

The revelation was unearthed in court documents that were filed on Tuesday. 

BBC News are reporting Woods can fight against the subpoena by objecting to it within 15 days. 

Last week, police released body camera footage capturing the immediate aftermath of the crash. 

Video footage showed a calm Woods, kneeling, explaining that he was distracted by his phone and changing radio station when the collision occurred. 

Nobody was injured in the crash and Woods was able to crawl out the passenger window with assistance. 

He passed a breathalyser test but refused to take a urinalysis screening. 

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek explained officers at the scene believed Woods' faculties were impaired as they observed the golfer moving slowly. 

They described the golfer having "glassy" and "bloodshot eyes". 

Video footage also showed Woods sitting in the back of the police car hiccupping before being driven to jail, where his mugshot was taken and he remained for eight hours. 

Last week, Woods confirmed that he was skipping the first men's major of the year to seek treatment abroad. 

He also revealed that he will not captain the 2027 United States Ryder Cup team. 

The PGA Tour, and new chief executive Brian Rolapp, have expressed their support. 

Sir Nick Faldo and Jason Day are among those to criticise Woods in recent days. 

"I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health," Woods said in a statement. 

"This is necessary in order for me to prioritise my wellbeing and work toward lasting recovery."

The incident was the second time Woods has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

In 2017, Woods was discovered asleep behind the wheel near his Florida home. 

A toxicology report at the time found that he had five drugs in his system, including prescription pain medications and sleep aids, at the time of his arrest

Woods also crashed into a fire hydrant in 2009 and was also found to have sleeping pills in his system. 

In February 2021, Woods also crashed his Genesis SUV in the Los Angeles hills and sustained serious injuries to his right leg. 

Doctors considered amputation, but he made his return to major championship golf 14 months later at the 2022 Masters. 

Woods has played a limited schedule since.

His last competitive appearance was the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Woods made an appearance in the TGL finals last month and expressed his desire to make a 27th appearance at Augusta National.