As The Masters gets underway at Augusta, one name is impossible to ignore — even in absence.
Tiger Woods will not be in the field this week following his recent situation, including a rollover crash and subsequent DUI-related arrest that led him to step away from golf to focus on his health.
And for many players, that absence is being felt well beyond the leaderboard.
Rory McIlroy: ‘A Shame’ Not to Have Him There
Rory McIlroy acknowledged the weight of Woods’ absence, especially given his history at Augusta.
“Unfortunately, there will be a couple of guys that won’t be in that room, which is a shame, but I want to make sure that they’re acknowledged as well,” McIlroy said, according to ESPN, referring to Woods and Phil Mickelson. “They’ve been two of the greatest champions that the Masters has ever seen. But it’s going to be a really cool night. I can’t wait. I hope everyone enjoys the dinner and enjoys everything that I’ve selected.”
While the focus of Champions Dinner week is tradition, McIlroy made clear that Woods’ presence — even off the course — is something that can’t easily be replaced.
Jon Rahm: ‘The Timing Might Not Be Right’
Jon Rahm also addressed Woods’ absence, pointing to the circumstances surrounding it.
“There’s a lot of players in this field that were very close to him, and I haven’t had the time to talk to them. Quite frankly, I don’t know if this will be the week to do so. They have enough going on this week with the Masters and a friend needing some help that I don’t know if it’s the right time,” Rahm said.
Rahm added that the priority remains Woods’ recovery, not his return timeline.
“So I haven’t had any conversations with anyone about it. All I can hope is that he gets the help that he can get and he can come back in a better position after that.”
Fred Couples: ‘Things Can Always Get Better’
Fred Couples, a longtime friend of Woods, offered a more personal perspective.
“I told him from Day 1 that we started hanging out back in ’06, ’07, somewhere in there, that I’m pulling for him as a human being, forget his golf, I could care less about his golf,” Couples said. “Anybody that’s struggling with anything, I feel for him because I’ve went through a lot of mental stuff.”
Couples also spoke about the physical toll Woods has endured over the years.
“How many surgeries? Ten or twelve surgeries? I don’t know any human being — let me tell you something, I used to snap at everyone. Felt like someone was tapping me on the back all day long. After eight to 10 hours you just can’t take it. It’s like a toothache.”
For Couples, the focus is simple: health first.
Jason Day: ‘He’s My Hero’ — But Also Human
@golfweekjourdan Jason Day sums it up pretty well about Tiger Woods: “I look at it and go, he’s just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. It’s unfortunate, the only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way, as well.” #jasonday #masters #augustanational
Jason Day struck one of the most candid tones in his comments.
“He’s just a human being like everyone else, and we have struggles,” Day said. “It’s unfortunate. The only thing that I don’t understand is that it’s a little bit selfish of him to drive and put other people in harm’s way, as well.”
Day, who has long cited Woods as an inspiration, balanced admiration with honesty — something echoed by multiple players throughout the week.
A Tournament That Feels Different Without Him
Even for a field loaded with elite talent, Woods’ absence is noticeable.
He remains one of the defining figures in Masters history, and his presence — whether competing or simply walking the grounds — carries weight that few others can match.
This year, that presence is missing.
And as players made clear, while the tournament will go on, it won’t feel quite the same.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post ‘It Hurts the Game’: Masters Stars React to Tiger Woods Missing Augusta appeared first on Heavy Sports.