Jason Day Calls Tiger Woods 'Selfish' for His Behavior in DUI Arrest

Jason Day, Tiger Woods
Credit: Andrew Redington/Getty; David Cannon/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Jason Day is speaking out about Tiger Woods
• In extensive comments to the media on Monday, the Australian golfer called Woods "selfish" for his arrest on suspicion of driving while under the influence
• Day, 38, also said Woods was his "hero" who inspired him to take up golf

Jason Day is calling out his “hero” Tiger Woods after his DUI arrest.

The Australian golfer, who won a major in 2015 at the PGA Championship, told reporters that he has always looked up to Woods — but that his DUI arrest was “selfish” of the "strong-willed" player.

“In regards to Tiger, it just shows the human element and the human side of someone that is struggling with some sort of an addiction,” Day, 38, told reporters at a practice round at the Masters on Monday, April 6. “He's not immune to it just because he can hit a golf ball really well.”

Day continued, “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, 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. But when you're the player that he was and how strong-willed he is, he thinks he can do almost anything, and that's probably why he's probably driving and a little bit under the influence.”

The 38-year-old then explained that Woods, 50, is the reason why he plays golf, and then wished him well in his recovery.

Tiger Woods and Jason Day in Japan in 2019.
Credit: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty

“He was my hero — he's my hero. He was my hero growing up. The reason why I play golf is because of this tournament and Tiger,” Day said. “It's hard to see him go through what he's going through, and especially under the microscope that—it must be hard to be who he is and have everything, everyone look on, kind of down on him. Some people want him to fail. Some people obviously want him to succeed. It's really difficult for me to go through that and watch him, and I know that he's getting the help now, which is good. I'm just hoping he comes out on the other side and is better.”

Woods was arrested on a DUI charge after crashing his Range Rover in Jupiter Island, Fla. on March 27.

Authorities on the scene alleged they found two hydrocodone pills in his pants pocket and “observed several signs of impairment” in Woods, including "bloodshot and glassy" eyes and "extremely dilated" pupils, in a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.

Four days after his arrest, Woods announced that he would be seeking medical treatment. 

"I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today," the 82-time PGA Tour winner wrote in a statement posted on X on Tuesday, March 31. "I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery."

On the eve of the iconic tournament — which Woods has won five times — other golfers, including Bubba Watson, were more conciliatory in their remarks about the golf great.

“I could care less about Tiger’s golf, I’ve always been in his ear. I told him I wanted to be here for his next major. I was here [at the Masters] in ‘19,” Watson told reporters. “... I told him from day one when we started hanging out in ‘06 or ‘07 that I'm pulling for him as a human being, forget his golf, I could care less about his golf. Anyone that's struggling with anything, I feel for him because I've went through a lot of mental stuff. So yeah, I always pull for him.”

Read the original article on People