Tiger put people in danger... he must get a grip
LEGEND TOM WATSON SPEAKS OUT ON THE WOES OF WOODS EXCLUSIVE
TIGER WOODS put his own and other people’s lives at risk by getting behind the wheel of his car while medicated and needs to ‘get a grip on his life’, according to Tom Watson.
Woods has checked into rehab after his arrest in Florida last month, when he was found asleep in his Mercedes by the side of the road. The 14-time major champion blamed an ‘unexpected reaction’ to prescription medication.
But Watson, himself an eight-time major winner and two-time Ryder Cup captain, said Woods has ‘no excuse’ for his behaviour, insisting he should be ‘severely embarrassed’.
The 67-year-old American, who won The Open five times, told Sportsmail: ‘It is sad that Tiger got in the situation he was in, falling asleep, whatever the cause was.
‘I saw an article that said he has gone to “seek professional help”, whatever that means. I just hope he gets a grip on his life to be able to make better decisions.
‘I’m sure he’s very embarrassed about the whole situation, as he should be. He put his life at risk and he put other people’s lives at risk in the condition he was in, in the car. He knows that and everyone else knows that. And there’s no excuse for it.’
Police footage of a disorientated Woods stumbling through a roadside sobriety test and a mugshot in which he struggled to keep his eyes open shocked the world after his arrest.
Woods was found asleep in his damaged car with the engine running and not knowing where he was.
A breath-test registered no alcohol in his blood. The former world No1 released a statement earlier this week saying that he was ‘currently receiving professional help to manage my medications and the ways that I deal with back pain and a sleep disorder.’
Woods, 41, had been on target to overtake the record of 18 majors won by Watson’s great friend, Jack Nicklaus, until a series of injuries struck, requiring four back surgeries in just over three years. He told police he has been taking four prescription drugs: Solarex, Vicodin, Torix and Vioxx.
‘He has to deal with it and I’m sure he’s severely embarrassed by the whole situation,’ added Watson. ‘To see his pictures, the way he was, the video and his mugshot out there, it had to seriously embarrass him. It was sad to see it, it was sad to see that condition.’
Watson, who recovered from a hip replacement in 2008 to play in majors again, uses a sleep-aid to adjust to different time zones when flying around the world, but said there was a clear difference in his use of sedatives from that of Woods.
‘I’m using it judiciously and for a purpose,’ said Watson. ‘And I don’t abuse it.’