Announcer Under Fire for Painkillers Comment About Tiger Woods
Woods' history with painkillers has been documented.
Pro golfers from around the world have descended on the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland for The Open Championship. The tournament kicked off July 18, and Tiger Woods—himself a three-time Open champion—took to the links in the first round of play. But it wasn't Woods' performance on the course that has been making headlines.
During Sky Sports' broadcast of the day, announcer Mark Roe noted something looked off to him about Woods.
"You look at the eyes," he said. "You gotta think there’s a lot of painkillers being taken to cope with the pain, you know?"
Featured groups basically calling Tiger a drug addict because “you look at the eyes, you gotta think there’s a lot of painkillers being taken.” pic.twitter.com/udylWo5BsT
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) July 18, 2024
The comment didn't sit well with some golf fans.
"A little bit odd for Mark Roe to just come out and say that. Not all the silences have to be filled," one person wrote on X.
A little bit odd for Mark Roe to just come out and say that. Not all the silences have to be filled#TigerWoods#OpenChampionship https://t.co/lMMjt7faYb
— EatandSleepGolf (@EatandSleepGolf) July 18, 2024
"I'm not a big fan of Tiger, but even if it's true, there are just things that need not be said," another person reiterated.
I'm not a big fan of Tiger, but even if it's true, there are just things that need not be said
— Hollywood99.eth (@RussNormandin) July 18, 2024
Others chimed in on how unprofessional the comment seemed. One person called it "an absolute crazy thing to say on air," while another said it was "completely ridiculous and embarrassing to suggest this."
An absolute crazy thing to say on air.
— NUCLR GOLF STATS (@NUCLRGOLFSTATS) July 18, 2024
Completely ridiculous and embarrassing to suggest this.
— Hunter Mahan (@HunterMahan) July 18, 2024
Woods does have a history with painkillers as he's undergone multiple surgeries on his back and knees. In 2017, he was arrested on a DUI charge and was found to have painkillers Hydrocodone and Hydromorphone in his system as well as anxiety drug Xanax and sleep drug Ambien. He promptly checked himself into rehab to confront his addiction to prescription painkillers. There is no evidence, however, that he is currently using any substances.
The 152nd Open wraps up July 21.