Tiger Woods on players' minds as Masters week begins

He later announced that he would not be on hand for the 90th edition of the Masters this week and removed himself for consideration to be the United States Ryder Cup team captain for 2027 as he steps away from golf for an undetermined amount of time. Woods' plane reportedly landed in Switzerland last week, days after his attorney told a Martin County Judge that his superstar client needed an "intensive, highly individualized and medically integrated program" away from media and public scrutiny. "It just shows the human element and the human side of someone that is struggling with some sort of an addiction," Jason Day said after finishing his practice round at the Masters on Monday.

"He's not immune to it just because he can hit a golf ball really well. "He's had 25 to 30 something surgeries, and when you're going through that many procedures, it's painful coming out of those procedures. I've had procedures done and I typically try and stay away from all that stuff because I just know that – painkillers, there can potentially be a downfall to it.

"Granted, when I look at that, I look at it and go, he's just a human being like everyone else and we have struggles. It's unfortunate. " Woods pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of DUI after his SUV struck the back of a trailer being hauled by a truck near his home in Jupiter, Fla.

Woods' car flipped on its side, and he was charged with a moving violation of distracted driving. Officers found two while pills in the pocket of his pants, which authorities later confirmed to be hydrocodone. "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 said.