Tiger Woods Arrested on DUI Charge After Florida Car Crash
Former world number one Tiger Woods was arrested on drunken driving charges after his Land Rover rolled over on a two-lane road near his home on Florida’s Jupiter Island on Friday afternoon, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.
The 15-time champion was released later Friday after Florida law required him to remain in jail for at least eight hours before being released on bail.
Woods was overtaking a work truck pulling a trailer at high speed when he rear-ended the truck, causing his vehicle to roll onto the driver’s side, Sheriff John Budensiek said at a news conference.
The 50-year-old man crawled out the passenger door before law enforcement arrived. A breathalyzer test performed at the Martin County Jail showed no trace of alcohol; investigators believed his impairment was drug or medication-related.
Woods refused to submit to a urine test, a separate crime under Florida law. No injuries were reported to Woods or the driver of the other vehicle.
Woods was charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to lawful testing, all misdemeanor charges.
US President Donald Trump said he heard about the incident.
“I feel very bad. There was an accident. He had some difficulties. There was an accident and that’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine. He’s a great person, a great man,” Trump said.
This was the second time Woods faced DUI charges, after he was arrested in Jupiter, Florida, in 2017 and later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Woods was also involved in a serious car accident in February 2021 and suffered severe leg fractures.
His injury history spans more than two decades and includes multiple back surgeries, ACL reconstructions, Achilles tendon ruptures, and chronic knee problems; all of which has significantly restricted the competitive schedule in recent years.
Woods had just returned to competitive action on Tuesday, representing Jupiter Links Golf Club in TGL Finals play; It was his first appearance since missing the cut at the 2024 British Open.
He had not confirmed whether he planned to compete in this year’s Masters, which begins April 9 at Augusta.
CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Woods is considered one of the best golfers of all time. He won 15 major championships, second only to Jack Nicklaus with 18 and 82 PGA Tour events, and shares that record with Sam Snead.
His major titles include five Masters, three US Opens, three British Opens and four PGA Championships.
Woods spent a record 683 weeks as the world number one and is the only player to hold all four major championships simultaneously; this is a feat known as the “Tiger Slam”, achieved during the 2000-2001 seasons.
Won the 2000 US Open by 15 strokes; this was the largest margin of victory in major championship history.
Woods’ victory at the 2019 Masters, his last major title, is considered one of the sport’s greatest comebacks after years of back injuries and personal problems threatened to end his career.
