Golf legend Jack Nicklaus has voiced deep concern for Tiger Woods following his arrest last month, making clear his worry centres on the man rather than the athlete.
The 86-year-old, who holds 18 Major titles, believes his fellow champion requires assistance with his long-term painkiller use after Woods was detained on 27 March in Florida.
"Sometimes you get, you know, too far down the line and you just need somebody to help you," Nicklaus told the Palm Beach Post.
"I think he probably needs some help. And we all want to help him. We're all on his side. Obviously, I feel bad for Tiger. I like Tiger. I don't just like him, I like him a lot."
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Nicklaus acknowledged Woods has relied on pain medication for an extended period, though he expressed uncertainty about the severity of his friend's discomfort.
"He's been taking painkillers for a long time and I don't know how much pain he's in because I just don't know. But I don't think he'd be taking them if he didn't need them," Nicklaus said.
Woods faces charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test. While he passed a breathalyser examination, he declined a urinalysis.
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus has voiced deep concern for Tiger Woods following his arrest last month, making clear his worry centres on the man rather than the athlete
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Officers discovered two hydrocodone tablets, a potent opioid painkiller, in his pocket during the arrest.
The arrest affidavit described Woods as "sweating profusely" with "bloodshot and glassy" eyes and "extremely dilated" pupils, noting his movements were "lethargic and slow" and that he was "limping and stumbling to the right" during field sobriety exercises.
A Florida judge has authorised Woods to travel outside the United States to enter a comprehensive inpatient treatment facility while facing the misdemeanour charges.
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Tiger Woods pictured in his mugshot | GETTYMartin County Judge Darren Steele approved the motion filed by Woods' lawyer, Douglas Duncan, who argued the 50-year-old required an "intensive, highly individualised and medically integrated program" away from media attention and public scrutiny.
Woods issued a public statement on 31 March and entered a not guilty plea in a Florida court to the misdemeanour driving under the influence charge with property damage.
Body camera footage from the Martin County Sheriff's Office was released on 2 April, one day after the travel request was granted.
Woods, a 15-time Major winner with 82 PGA Tour victories matching Sam Snead's all-time record, has been absent from official competition since the 2024 Open Championship.
Tiger Woods is ruled out of this year's Masters following his arrest | Martin County Sheriff's OfficeThe World Golf Hall of Fame member suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon last spring and underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery in October.
Just three days prior to the crash, Woods expressed his determination to prepare for Augusta, stating after his first TGL match of the season: "I want to play.
"I love the tournament."
According to body camera footage, Woods told first responders at the scene of his rollover accident that he hoped to compete at the Masters, which begins on 9 April.