Tiger Woods retirement row: As Masters 2026 starts, star golfer urged to make way; Vanessa Trump in focus

Tiger Woods is not at the Augusta National Golf Club for Masters 2026 after his DUI-related arrest in Florida

Published on: Apr 6, 2026, 24:18:39 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Tiger Woods is not at the Augusta National Golf Club for Masters 2026 after his DUI-related arrest in Florida. The 50-year-old reportedly expressed his desire to play the prestigious tournament during the aftermath of his March 27 rollover crash, but is at rehab at the moment. Now, several of Woods and his girlfriend Vanessa Trump's friends are urging him to retire.

FTiger Woods reacts to his birdie putt on the 18th hole after winning the 2001 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club (AP)

Tiger Woods should retire

Woods’ future in golf is under intense scrutiny, with members of his inner circle reportedly urging him to step away. Sources told The US Sun: “Most of his friends think he should retire and focus on his health, but he refuses to accept that other players have taken the spotlight. He constantly talks about his golden years and believes he can get back there. Some people stay quiet just to avoid upsetting him.”

Vanessa Trump in focus

Another concern is about his relationship with Vanessa Trump. According to a US Sun source, friends feel she is not helping redirect his priorities. “Tiger has been completely obsessed with getting back to the top and becoming the player he once was - back in the spotlight alongside the biggest athletes in the world.”

The source added: “The pressure weighs heavily on him, and he hasn't accepted that he may never reach the top again. There is a level of denial.”

Tiger Woods stepping away

In response to the Jupiter Island car crash, Woods announced he would temporarily step away from golf to focus on his health. "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health."

The 15-time major champion is reportedly seeking treatment at an overseas facility, citing privacy concerns.

Wanted to play Masters 2026

As responders retrieved his golf clubs from the back of his Land Rover while it was lying on its side after the accident, an investigator asked Woods, "Are you golfing in the Masters this year?"

Woods responded, "Hoping to. It depends on you all."

His answer drew laughter from multiple people, with one voice heard saying, "It don't depend on me."

Just three days before the crash, Woods said he would "keep trying" to get himself ready for the Masters, which starts April 9. Speaking after playing his first TGL match of the season, Woods said of the season's first major, "I want to play. I love the tournament."

(With Reuters inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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