Reed On The Greens April 4, 2026
by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioGolf
Photos: Tiger Woods Facebook, Sun Day Red Facebook
Over the past month, the initial Google search I have conducted over my first morning coffee has been, Iran war. Over the past week, I’ve added to my morning updates with a search for, Tiger Woods.
It goes without saying, the war in Iran touches us all and is of the utmost importance to world peace. But my morning search also speaks volumes about the magnitude of Woods, golf’s GOAT and one of the most recognizable faces during the past century.
It would be flippant of me to trash Tiger for his latest run-in with the law, but also it would be irresponsible for me to not recognize that Tiger has major troubles. However, there are always at least two sides to every story.
Of course, in Tiger’s case, where there is smoke there is fire. Name anyone you know who has flipped their vehicle once, let alone twice.
Woods’ driving record and associated personal struggles speak for themselves. In 2009, he crashed into a fire hydrant and tree outside his Florida home following a clash with his former wife, Elin Nordegren, when is infidelity surfaced to a boiling point. In 2017, the golf great was arrested for DUI in Florida after being found asleep at the wheel – that resulted in a guilty plea to reckless driving and probation. Then, in 2021 Woods was involved in a serious single-car rollover crash in Los Angeles, where he suffered severe leg injuries – and almost lost his right leg – but was not charged with a crime.
Anyone who watched the 2008 U.S. Open when Tiger beat Rocco Mediate in an 18-hole playoff – on a broken leg – recognizes his strength, determination and concurrently battered body, riddled through a lifetime of surgeries and, thanks to less than stellar use of motor vehicle, self-inflicted crippling injuries. The 50-year-old golfer has undergone seven career back surgeries, as well as procedures on his knees, ankle, Achilles tendon plus over 20 surgeries on his right leg following that 2021 crash.
As someone who lives with chronic pain stemming from disabilities and sports injuries from head to toe, I can relate to what Tiger endures each day. I thank God I have never had to rely on long-term use of heavy-duty medications, and I am thankful that my own Type A personality traits have never seen me turn to meds as a crutch.
Unlike most of the media, I’m not going to pretend to know what’s going on with Tiger’s personal life – a life, at times, without a shield, thanks to his former status as a child prodigy – normal rules not applying – as well as his golf prowess and power, and the power of social and traditional media. There is no denying he lives with chronic pain – he has said so. His physical rap sheet says it all.
But the media attention and comments surfacing after Woods’ latest arrest continue to grow legs – he is, after all, Tiger Woods, and it makes for attention-grabbing headlines and endless fodder for TV’s talking heads.
In the days following his arrest, Woods – via his lawyers and PR flacks – released this statement: “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery. I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
Let’s hope Tiger is sincere in his desire to continue to heal mentally, physically and emotionally – one day at a time, for the rest of his life, as his best friend, golfer turned golf analyst Notah Begay III (a recovered alcoholic) stated on the Golf Channel yesterday. No matter what the reason for his vehicle accidents and arrests – and it doesn’t take a genius to know that he was under the influence of drugs during his arrests (he again said so during his latest run-in with the law) – this is Tiger hitting rock bottom. There is no tomorrow.
I said there are always two sides to every story. Almost every clip of Tiger’s latest arrest painted him as severely impaired by drugs. But if you watch this clip there is another argument to be made: that Woods was not severely impaired. You be the judge.
Woods was impaired, though. To what degree, it does not matter. He endangered his own life, and the lives of others through his recklessness.
Two things are unsettling to me. First and foremost, Tiger’s well being. Golf is global but it’s also a small community. It’s unique to sports. Anyone who has lived the golf lifestyle feels connected to everyone from the local muni hack to Woods slipping into another green jacket at Augusta National. Even though my own injuries and disabilities saw me forced to retire from playing golf in 2020, I remain and always will be a golfer.
I know that even as a middle-aged golfer, I found inspiration in Woods’ accomplishments. One of my favourite pieces from Hank Haney’s 2012-published book, The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods, was Haney’s mention of a Tiger Day. Tiger worked harder than perhaps anyone other professional golfer in history during his on- and off-course training. He practiced for hours at the range, and he ran for miles daily, fitted with a metal vest – hell, he even trained with the Navy Seals. It’s just one reason why he revolutionized the game, inspired countless number of people to take up the game and was solely responsible for raising the game of golf from fringe sport to mainstream attraction. To this day, when I put in a long, satisfying day at work, I jokingly tell my wife that I had a Tiger Day.
Many of the talking heads at the Golf Channel and other networks – not to mention many PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players – have jumped on the trash Tiger bandwagon, and that is also very unsettling to me as someone who has talked about and written about the game of golf for parts of five decades. Without Tiger, they would not be earning big money as analysts nor playing for lucrative purses. Statistics show that when Tiger was in the field, viewership jumped as much as 100 per cent. Even the Masters Tournament, which traditionally draws viewers with little or no golf interest, reflects the fact, Tiger does not move the needle; he is, in fact, the needle: over 12 years where Tiger finished in the top 5, Masters final rounds averaged 14.89 million viewers. In 16 years where he missed or finished outside the top 5, that number dropped to 11.83 million (roughly 20% less).
Tiger made the game cool in the minds of countless others. He changed the game like no other golfer, period. Not even Bobby Jones nor Jack Nicklaus did for golf what Tiger has done. His athleticism, Michael Jordan-type aura, and, most of all, his winning record – and the way he won, during the Internet age – made golf a mainstream sport.
Golf is a huge part of my life – always will be – but I say unequivocally that the game is not even close to being as mainstream as it was during Tiger’s prowl.
Consider that during Tiger’s trials and tribulations during the past week, the spotlight again has been on the game of golf – more than it has since Tiger’s 2019 Masters win. Enough said.
There is no excuse for what Tiger has done – endangering his life and the lives of others. He needs to change – now.
But whatever happened to compassion, and not biting the hand that feeds you? That’s something a lot of folks need to consider as we hope and pray for Tiger’s recovery.
Golf powers, including the PGA Tour and Augusta National team, have publicly stated their prayers for Tiger’s recovery, but they have also said they are “distancing” themselves from Tiger during this time. What a ridiculous statement. There is no contemporary golf without Tiger’s influence. It’s impossible. But they won’t admit it.
Should Tiger push himself to play competitive golf again? That’s his decision. But on or off the golf course, let’s hope there a lot more Tiger Days in the future.
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Since 1980, award-winning writer and broadcaster Jeffrey Reed has covered the game of golf for parts of five decades. His column, Reed On The Greens, is the only column to have won back-to-back Best Online Feature Column accolades from the Golf Journalists Association of Canada. In 2004, Reed launched, LondonOntarioGolf.com, the Voice of Golf in Southwestern Ontario. Contact him at jeff@londonontariogolf.com.
