Tour expresses support for Woods
Players like to use Memorial to prepare for upcoming majors.
DUBLIN, OHIO — On the eve of the Memorial Tournament, which Tiger Woods won a record five times, PGA Tour players who grew up admiring his dominance in golf wished the best for him following his arrest this week on a DUI charge.
Commissioner Jay Monahan said the tour would be there to help Woods, who is recovering from back surgery and blamed a combination of prescription drugs after police in Jupiter, Fla., found him asleep at the wheel of his car at 2 a.m. Monday.
“I think Tiger’s statement on Monday night, where he apologized and he said he was going to do everything he can in his power to make sure this doesn’t happen again, I think says everything,” Monahan said Wednesday. “He’s a member of our family, and we’re going to do everything we can to help and support him.”
Jason Day, who grew up idolizing Woods and often consults him on golf matters, said he sent Woods a text and had not heard back as of Wednesday.
“From what I’ve heard, it was like different dosages of prescribed medicine that he took,” Day said. “I mean, he’s had four back surgeries and seven knee surgeries and some Achilles and stuff like that. It’s tough to see him go through this. Hopefully he’s on the right dosage and he can get through this stage and hopefully come back.”
A breath test on Woods registered 0.0 for alcohol, corroborating what he said in his statement Monday.
Katie Phang, a former Florida prosecutor contacted by the Associated Press, said Woods’ statement could hurt him if he fights the charge.
“Tiger’s statement was a bad idea. He should not have said anything,” Phang said. “Now he can’t claim that he was not DUI and just was tired from a long day.”
Memorial Tournament: Players see the Memorial today through Sunday as important preparation for the U.S. Open in two weeks. The British Open follows a month later, and then comes the PGA Championship in August.
“It’s a very major season now, so you’re just doing what you can to be ready every week,” Adam Scott said.
Rory McIlroy pulled out of the Memorial to rest his ribs ahead of the U.S. Open, and Justin Rose won’t play because of a sore back.
Day, who lives 25 minutes away from Muirfield Village Golf Club and is a member at the club, has yet to finish in the top 25 in eight Memorials. So he doesn’t think he has a home-course advantage.
“Today was the first round I’ve played at Muirfield this year,” Day said Wednesday after a pro-am round with former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. “I’ve been so busy and been on the road that I haven’t had the opportunity.”