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It's hard to see him go through what he's going through - Day on Woods
Former US PGA champion Jason Day says Tiger Woods was "a little bit selfish" and "put other people in harm's way" after the American great was charged with driving under the influence.
Woods, 50, was arrested and charged after clipping a truck and rolling his car near his home in Florida last month.
The 15-time major champion, who was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, was found with two white pills in his pocket, which were identified as hydrocodone - an opioid used to treat pain.
He submitted a written plea of not guilty via his lawyers last week and was granted permission by a judge to seek treatment overseas.
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While Australian Day criticised Woods' actions, the 38-year-old said he also has sympathy for him.
"He was my hero - he is my hero," said Day, who is preparing to take part in the Masters, which starts on Thursday.
"The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger.
"It's hard to see him go through what he's going through, and especially under the microscope... it must be hard to be who he is and have everything, everyone look on, kind of down on him.
"The only thing that I don't understand is that it's a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm's way, as well.
"But when you're the player that he was and how strong-willed he is, he thinks he can do almost anything."
In the arrest affidavit, an officer wrote Woods was "sweating profusely", his pupils were "extremely dilated" and his movements were "lethargic and slow".
Five-time Masters champion Woods, whose last victory at Augusta came in 2019, will not be at Augusta National for the season's first major, and he has also turned down the role of United States Ryder Cup captain next year in Ireland.
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Bodycam footage of Tiger Woods arrest
Nobody was injured in the crash, and Woods said he had not drunk alcohol that day.
When asked by authorities if he had taken any prescription medication, he replied: "I take a few."
Woods has had many operations during his career, including his seventh back surgery last year.
Day, who was Masters runner-up in 2011, continued: "He's had 25 to 30 something surgeries, and when you're going through that many procedures, it's painful coming out of those procedures.
"I've had procedures done and I typically try and stay away from all that stuff because I just know that... painkillers, there can potentially be a downfall to it.
"Granted, when I look at that, I look at it and go, he's just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. It's unfortunate."
Jason Day played alongside Woods during the second round of the Masters in 2024
Woods' Masters absence 'hurts golf'
American Harris English was among those to pay tribute to Woods, who has not played a major since the 2024 Open and has started only five of the past 16 majors, two of which he was fored to withdraw from.
"He's such a legend in this game, somebody I looked up to," the American said.
"I know he's going to get through this. He has a big fight ahead of him. He's a fighter - that's what he does."
It will be the first Masters since 1994 that does not feature either three-time winner Phil Mickelson or Woods.
Mickelson, 55, is stepping away from golf "for an extended period" because of a family health matter.
"Let's be honest, without Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the events, in golf, when they both step away, honestly I feel it hurts the game of golf," said Patrick Reed, who won the Masters in 2018.
"But at the same time, we want them to come back and be healthy and ready to go."
Tiger Woods won his fifth Masters title in 2019, ending an 11-year wait to claim a 15th major
