Golf Legends Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo Speak Out After Tiger Woods DUI

Tiger Woods’ latest crash and sudden shift from golf has the sport’s biggest legends sounding off -- and they’re not exactly on the same page.

Woods is stepping away from the greens indefinitely after flipping his Range Rover and getting arrested for DUI in Florida last week … a scary incident that has reignited major concerns about the 15-time major champ’s health and decision-making.

Jack Nicklaus is standing firmly in Woods’ corner while Nick Faldo is taking a much harsher stance -- exposing a sharp divide at the top of the sport over the embattled icon.

The Golden Bear didn’t hold back when asked about the situation … telling The Palm Beach Post, “Sometimes you get, you know, too far down the line and you just need somebody to help you.”

He added, “I think he probably needs some help. And we all want to help him. We're all on his side.”

Nicklaus made it clear this isn’t about piling on, it’s about concern … saying, “Obviously, I feel bad for Tiger. I like Tiger. I don’t just like him, I like him a lot.”

He also touched on Woods’ long battle with injuries and pain, noting, “He's been taking painkillers for a long time … I don’t think he'd be taking them if he didn’t need them.”

But across the pond, Nick Faldo is singing a much different tune -- and it’s a lot harsher.

Faldo didn’t sugarcoat a thing … blasting the response to Woods’ situation as soft and calling for accountability.

“There’s one side that’s like, ‘Let’s care for Tiger’ … but then there’s got to be a responsibility and accountability side as well,” Faldo told The Times. “This is a serious thing he’s done.”

He even took a swipe at how the PGA Tour has handled it all, saying the support has been “predictably weak.”

And while Faldo admitted he feels for Woods physically -- “I feel sorry for Tiger because he’s living in 24-7 pain” -- he also dropped the hammer, claiming, “it’s all been self-inflicted.”

The divide comes as Woods -- a five-time Masters winner -- will now miss the major event next week … a tournament many expected to mark his comeback after yet another grueling rehab from injuries.

Instead, Woods has elected to step back out of the public eye, seek treatment and focus on recovery … with his future more uncertain than ever.