Nick Faldo has sharply criticized Tiger Woods and the PGA Tour, demanding greater responsibility and consequences following Woods’ arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) last week — his second such incident and part of a pattern of car-related issues spanning more than 15 years.
Woods, 50, was arrested on March 27, 2026, in Jupiter Island, Florida, after his Land Rover clipped the back of another vehicle and rolled over. He sustained no injuries in the single-car rollover but was charged with DUI involving property damage and refusal to submit to a urine test.
Bodycam footage released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office showed Woods appearing lethargic, yawning, and hiccupping during field sobriety tests, with two pills — identified as Vicodin — found in his pocket. Authorities indicated impairment stemmed from medication rather than alcohol. Woods has pleaded not guilty and announced he is stepping away from golf indefinitely to seek treatment outside the U.S. and focus on his health.
In comments reported across multiple outlets, the six-time major champion Faldo expressed sympathy for Woods’ chronic pain but emphasized that his struggles are “self-inflicted.”
Faldo, speaking while recovering from heart surgery and preparing for his analyst role at the Masters, said: “I feel sorry for Tiger that he is living 24-7 in pain but it has all been self-inflicted.” He added that there must be “a responsibility and an accountability side as well. This is a serious thing that he has done.”
Faldo specifically took aim at the PGA Tour’s response, calling it “predictably weak” and suggesting the organization has historically protected Woods. “The Tour will look after him, as they always have done,” he said. He contrasted this with Jack Nicklaus’ view that the incident has “tarnished the entire sport” and stressed: “There has to be some accountability. Forget about golf. We are not meant to be on the streets with two pills in our pocket.”
Faldo questioned whether Woods’ superstar status has shielded him from the repercussions an average person would face for repeated DUIs. “If you were done for DUI a couple of times in your business, what happens? What would happen to you?” he asked, warning that a short absence followed by a quick return would send the wrong message, especially to younger fans.
“Our sport is based on discipline,” he noted.
This latest crash marks at least the fourth auto-related incident for Woods. It follows his high-profile 2009 single-car crash outside his Florida home — which exposed his extramarital affairs but resulted only in a careless driving citation — and a severe 2021 rollover in California that left him with serious leg injuries. The 2017 DUI arrest in Florida, involving prescription medications, was his first. Woods’ legal team, which also represented him in 2017, is handling the current case.
The PGA Tour issued a supportive statement describing Woods as “a legend of our sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course,” while balancing concern for his well-being. Woods himself acknowledged the “seriousness of the situation” in a social media post.
Faldo’s pointed remarks come as the golf world prepares for the Masters, a tournament Woods has won five times. The 15-time major winner has long battled back and leg injuries, and this incident has reignited debate over personal accountability for one of the game’s most iconic — and scrutinized — figures.
Woods has not yet commented directly on Faldo’s criticism.
