‘Disowned’ Charles Barkley opens up on Tiger Woods slight against him and Michael Jordan

Charles Barkley is still waiting for answers after his friendship with Tiger Woods hit a wall.

The NBA icon and 15-time major champion were said to have built a solid relationship over much of the 1990s and 2000s.

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Despite having different backgrounds, and operating in different sporting worlds, Barkley and Woods spent many a day together chasing perfection on the course.

Fellow basketball legend Michael Jordan, regarded as the greatest of all-time, even joined them from time-to-time to create a superstar trio that drew huge interest whenever they stepped out.

But in 2009, their friendship faltered.

Charles Barkley recalls being ‘disowned’ by Tiger Woods

Following a shocking car crash in November 2009, Woods’ world was turned upside down, and his image plumbed to painful depths before an eventual resurgence.

Amid scandal, the golf icon vanished not just from the public eye, but from the lives of close friends, too.

Woods has since been involved in three other high-profile accidents, including one in the build-up to the 2026 Masters.

“I’ve never understood the whole Tiger situation,” Barkley recently admitted, during an appearance on ESPN Chicago’s Waddle and Silvy.

“I called his agent — I don’t even have Tiger’s number anymore — and I said, ‘Let the young guy know I love him, I hope he’s gonna be alright.’

“I wish him nothing but the best. Obviously, he has a drug problem, and I got nothing but love for him.

“But he disowned us after one of those car accidents.”

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Woods’ latest incident has forced him to step away from golf for a period of time to ‘seek treatment and focus on’ his health.

The golf legend was arrested and charged with driving under the influence after clipping a truck and rolling his car in Florida on Friday, March 27.

He was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

Woods has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Barkley, apparently, has not heard from his old friend for a long time, but remained empathetic to his situation.

“Tiger left us,” Barkley added.

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“I don’t turn on my friends when they do something wrong or make a mistake.

“But I wish him nothing but the best.”

Nearly 20 years have passed since Woods and Barkley spent time together on the golf course, and it’s not clear if they will ever play together again.

Their lack of communication, apparently, still bemuses Barkley.

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