The Round Table weighs in on Tiger Woods’ latest DUI

Each week, we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

Last Friday, Tiger Woods was arrested after hitting another vehicle at high speed in Florida where it was alleged he was driving under the influence. He tested 0.00 for alcohol but refused a urine test and subsequently spent eight hours in county jail as mandated by Florida law. What was your initial reaction to the news?

Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): My initial reaction was “what is WRONG with this man?!”  I assumed he was inebriated but was relieved to hear he was not.  But driving under the influence of drugs (illegal or prescriptive) is equally stupid, so my reaction remained the same.  I sympathize with the pain that Tiger has to live with day-by-day, but for God’s sake, man, GET A DRIVER!  You’re a billionaire, you can afford to have a chauffeur on your payroll.  So far, you’ve been lucky that you’ve only injured yourself.  But if you keep driving, someone else might get hurt or killed in your next accident.  And also, consider the message you’re sending out to young people… that is, if you’re rich and famous, it’s okay to be an irresponsible idiot.

Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): My first thought was, “Wait—again?”   This seems like a rerun, zero alcohol, refused a test, eight hours in jail. Mostly, though, it felt less like scandal and more like déjà vu, we know this drill. For a guy who’s mastered getting a golf ball into a hole, he could sure use a few life lessons and proper driving.

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: I am so tired of Tiger stories, particularly those outside golf. What about a wonderful, romantic story about Gary Woodland? My reaction to the Tiger story is one of sadness. At a time when America desperately needs ethical, moral, honourable role models, one of the upper echelon images bares human frailty. Timing for situations like this is never good but golf has undergone some very heavy burdens lately. He actually has two convictions and hasn’t been charged in this latest one. One of his infractions was deemed to be the result of a bad mix of painkillers. Personally, I have had a lot of experience with this in the past 10 years and can honestly say there is no acceptable excuse for a bad mix. He beat that charge because he could afford good lawyers and the court gave him a break.

TJ Rule, Golf Away Tours (@GolfAwayTJ): It’s so sad to see Tiger struggle with substances, I really hope he gets some help that works finally and he can get his life in order.  I guess it goes to show how much pain he’s in that he is seemingly addicted to pain killers.  Why doesn’t he just have a full-time driver?

Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver: Again? He’s still DUI’ing? There was no element of surprise. Have been through a couple of procedures after which massive pain killers were prescribed. Didn’t take any. Friends did after their surgeries, an older stoner bud got hooked for a time, others could not believe how powerful those pills were — and what they could sell them for on the street. Reports from an earlier “accident” disclosed that Eldrick was on a cocktail of pain killers. At some point, serious therapy is needed as well as a deep investigation of the docs writing those scripts.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine: I was initially surprised but upon further thought, probably shouldn’t have been. His earlier episodes and the way everyone brushed them off so quickly should have been a warning. The man’s an addict and needs serious help.

This is the fourth time Tiger has been involved in a vehicle crash dating back to 2009 when he hit a fire hydrant near his home after a fight with his wife. His 2021 accident was a high-speed roll-over that caused him serious injury. Each time he gets a slap on the wrist but is allowed to continue driving. In your opinion, should Tiger receive a stiffer penalty?

Deeks: Yes.  As in, permanent ban from driving… even a golf cart.

Loughry: Repeated crashes/issues suggest something isn’t clicking for Tiger. Fame shouldn’t come with unlimited get out of jail free cards, especially behind the wheel. I’m not sure a tougher penalty will get through to him (habitual issue).

Schurman: Every person driving should search the penalties for DUI; first, second and third offence which this would be for Tiger. Florida’s laws aren’t nearly as stringent as Ontario. However, if you have a decent job, family and life DO NOT ever do anything to bring DUI charges. It will impact your life forever and not in a good way. Tiger’s biggest bonus is the time between charges; had they been closer, he would have had automatic jail terms. His first DUI was 2009, his second was 2021 in Los Angeles. In between, in 2017 he pleaded guilty to ‘reckless driving’ when he was found asleep behind the wheel in Florida. His very smart lawyers will argue his 2017 sentence wasn’t a DUI and it was in Los Angeles, so it is more than 10 years since his last DUI in Florida. It’s time for a fitting sentence of lengthy driving ban of at least 10 years and a stern prison term of at least 30 days continuously. In America only one person at a time can be above the law. Your choice.

Rule: Yes, I think he should lose his license for at least a short time.  But let’s be honest, he would just be pardoned and carry on!  He hasn’t hurt anyone else yet, but that could easily happen and if it does, there will be questions to be answered by the local authorities.  He’s a danger to society when he gets behind the wheel.  Thankfully his kids are older now and likely getting around on their own.

Quinn: This time — the 8-hour jail time being an indicator — the local law enforcers are not star struck but professional. There are a variety of charges inherent in this one — the refusal to agree to a urinalysis among others — that the celebrity shield is well and truly lowered. As this plays out with Eldrick treated as just another Floridian, it will be very serious and will tarnish the false aura that has protected him for decades.

Mumford: Each one of the arrests should have received stiffer penalties. What does it say about society that the rich and famous go to rehab, everyone else goes to jail? When there’s no contrition and no accountability, there’s no incentive to change behaviour.

On Tuesday, Tiger announced that he is stepping away from golf to seek treatment and will miss the Masters. He still has a trial upcoming at which he could receive a jail sentence but more likely will lose his driving privileges for a time and be mandated to perform some community service. Should the PGA Tour or other governing bodies like Augusta National mete out any further punishment for his conduct?

Deeks: I think we need to know more details before we all rush to judgement.  Like, specifically what drugs were involved?  Why did Tiger refuse the urine test?  What drugs has he been prescribed?  Why was he “under the influence” on a Monday afternoon?  Why was he driving in the first place, especially knowing he had ingested drugs which might impair his ability to drive?  I’ve never been a big Tiger fan, but I do sympathize with the physical pain he’s endured for over 20 years.  But were these drugs used for physical pain, or for emotional pain, or simply for recreation?  I respect his request for privacy until the case unfolds.  But if there’s anything nefarious in all of this, he deserves the full force of the law, and that may well make any “further punishment” from the Tour and other bodies redundant and irrelevant.

Loughry: I think Tiger has enough on his plate, and I’m not sure the Tour or anyone else needs to send a direct message. He technically hasn’t been convicted (I’m not saying he’s not guilty), but he’s not a criminal at this time. So, sanctioning or punishing him at this time would be out of line for any organization.

Schurman: Both have policies in place to which Tiger should be subject. The law always considers injuries to others, property damage and levels of impairment. This is wrong! Only one thing matters: the level of impairment. This combined with the previous record are clearly outlined and established. It’s a person’s choice to take control of a machine that can do a lot of damage. I am totally against leniency starting with the first offence. Maybe have the Tour Policy Board discuss the matter with Tiger and ask what would be fair. Dustin Johnson, John Daly are the most ‘decorated’ offenders. Do the crime; do the time.

Rule: Look, he has a problem and needs to get some help for it.  Hopefully he receives at least some punishment from the authorities for his charges, but the Tour and/or Augusta National doesn’t need to rub salt into the wounds of their most important figure in the history of golf.  I’m sure they will support him in his efforts to improve his physical and mental health, and hopefully he can eventually return to the game in a better place.

Quinn: The Florida courts don’t need any help dealing with this latest Eldrick episode. Claiming that he is seeking treatment will likely keep him out of jail, but there will be other consequences. Those, and the public humiliation, should be enough. The Tour and the green jackets have no jurisdiction in this one.

Mumford: Absolutely! Doug Barron got suspended for a year for a performance enhancing drug that didn’t endanger anyone; Dustin Johnson had a self-imposed (but likely Tour mandated) exile for cocaine abuse. At some point, Tiger has to pay the price for conduct unbecoming a PGA Tour player. His actions cast a bad light on the Tour and set a lousy example. Regardless of the legal penalties that may be levied, the PGA Tour and the various major governing bodies need to take action that demonstrates that Tiger’s behaviour is not acceptable.