Nick Faldo criticises weak PGA Tour response to Tiger Woods crash
Three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo has accused golf authorities of a predictably weak response after Tiger Woods stepped away from the sport following a recent car crash and driving under the influence charge.
Woods recently announced his withdrawal from public life following an accident last week, which led to a DUI charge that the golfer currently denies.
The PGA Tour subsequently released a supportive statement confirming the 15-time major winner will miss next week’s Masters tournament to focus on his health and well-being.
However, this official stance has drawn sharp criticism from Faldo, who believes the sport’s administrators are failing to demand proper accountability.
Faldo demands accountability for self-inflicted issues
Speaking ahead of his punditry duties at Augusta, the 68-year-old suggested the tour will simply protect their biggest star as they always have done.
“There’s one side that’s like let’s care for Tiger, and then there has got to be a responsibility and an accountability side as well.”
The former European Ryder Cup captain stressed that the incident goes beyond golf and requires a firmer disciplinary approach.
“This is a serious thing that he has done. There has to be some accountability. Forget about golf.”
PGA Tour accused of avoiding serious action
Faldo expressed frustration at the prospect of the American simply retreating to a tropical island for treatment before returning to the circuit without facing consequences.
Recently appointed PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp has publicly offered his support to the 50-year-old following the incident.
Despite acknowledging the chronic physical discomfort his former rival endures, the English commentator maintained that the underlying problems are entirely self-inflicted.
“I feel sorry for Tiger that he is living 24/7 in pain. But it has all been self-inflicted.”
A history of vehicular incidents
The latest collision adds to a concerning catalogue of motoring incidents involving the legendary golfer over the past 15 years.
His high-profile troubles began with a fire hydrant collision in 2009 and included a 2017 arrest where he was found asleep at the wheel following an unexpected reaction to prescription medication.
More recently, the five-time Masters champion survived a near-fatal rollover crash in 2021 that caused severe leg injuries and permanently altered his professional career.
Following last week’s incident near his Florida home, police reports indicated that the veteran athlete was found in possession of hydrocodone pills.
