- Tiger Woods announced he is stepping away from professional golf following a March 2026 DUI arrest and car crash in Florida.
- Before his official withdrawal, Woods held distant +25000 odds to win the tournament.
- The five-time Masters champion has struggled with injuries, failing to contend in his limited recent tournament starts.
- Woods leaves behind a historic Augusta National legacy, including a record-tying 23 consecutive made cuts.
JUPITER ISLAND, Fla. — Golf fans preparing for the first major championship of the year received a jarring update late last month. Tiger Woods, a five-time champion at Augusta National, was involved in a rollover car crash on March 27 in Jupiter Island, Florida. Following his subsequent arrest on suspicion of DUI, the legendary golfer announced he is stepping away from the sport to seek treatment.
The incident immediately shifted the landscape for the upcoming tournament. While Woods was never a favorite this year, his absence finalized a dramatic shift in the Masters betting odds and left the golf world reflecting on his uncertain future.
How the arrest impacted betting markets
Prior to his official withdrawal, oddsmakers held little faith in Woods securing a sixth green jacket. Sportsbooks listed him at a staggering +25000 to win the 2026 Masters outright.
Bettors closely monitored proposition wagers regarding his mere participation. Just days before the crash, the odds of Woods playing in the tournament looked highly probable. Following the news of the rollover accident, the “Yes” probability for him to compete plummeted to +300 (an implied 25% chance), while the “No” option surged to -335. Once Woods confirmed he would step away for a period of time, sportsbooks completely pulled his betting markets.
Details surrounding the March incident
Authorities reported that the crash occurred just after 2 p.m. ET near Woods’ Florida home. According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Woods attempted to pass a pressure cleaner truck on a two-lane road, clipped the back of the trailer, and rolled his Land Rover onto its driver’s side. Fortunately, neither Woods nor the driver of the other vehicle sustained injuries.
However, investigators noted signs of impairment. While Woods passed a breathalyzer test with a 0.00 BAC, he refused a urine test, leading to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Days later, Woods released a statement announcing his departure from the game to seek treatment and focus on his well-being.
A grueling stretch of recent tournaments
Even without the recent legal and personal troubles, Woods faced a monumental physical challenge heading into 2026. Since a devastating Los Angeles car crash in 2021, Woods has managed to play in only 11 official tournaments, failing to finish within 16 shots of the winner in any event where he completed 72 holes.
His physical setbacks intensified in 2025 when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in March, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. He then underwent a seventh back surgery in September. These compounding injuries made his competitive viability for the 2026 season highly questionable long before his March arrest.
A historic Augusta National legacy
Despite the somber tone surrounding his current absence, Woods’ history at the Masters remains unmatched in the modern era. He secured his first green jacket in 1997 with a historic 12-stroke victory, subsequently winning the tournament again in 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019. His 2019 victory stands as one of the greatest comeback stories in sports history.
Beyond his five victories, Woods tied the legendary Gary Player and Fred Couples for the longest streak of consecutive cuts made at the Masters, reaching the weekend 23 straight times. Whether he will ever return to competitive golf is a question that only time will answer as the focus at Augusta National shifts to the current generation of stars.
Adam Ingram is a seasoned sports betting analyst and senior writer for MastersBettingOdds.com, where he specializes in golf and major tournament coverage. With over eight years of experience in the industry, he combines sharp statistical analysis with insider knowledge to deliver accurate betting previews and value picks for The Masters and other premier events. A lifelong golf enthusiast who grew up playing in Texas, Adam brings both passion and expertise to his work, helping readers navigate complex odds and make smarter wagering decisions. When he’s not breaking down betting lines, he enjoys spending time on the course with friends and following college football.