Eldrick "Tiger" Woods, the American professional golfer and 15-time major champion, entered a plea of not guilty to charges of driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a blood or urine test. He waived arraignment and requested a jury trial.[1][2]
The 50-year-old Woods was arrested following a rollover crash on March 27, 2026, in Jupiter Island, Martin County, Florida. Authorities reported his vehicle collided with a car ahead while traveling at high speed before rolling onto its side.[1][3]
According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office arrest affidavit, deputies noted signs of impairment including profuse sweating, lethargic movements, bloodshot and dilated eyes. Woods stated he had been distracted by his cellphone and changing the radio station. Two white pills, identified as hydrocodone, were found in his pocket; he admitted taking prescription medications.[1][3]
Woods recorded 0.00 on a breathalyzer test at Martin County Jail but declined a urine test, resulting in the additional charge. He referenced seven back surgeries and over 20 leg operations during field sobriety tests.[1]
This marks Woods' second arrest related to driving while impaired by prescription drugs. On May 29, 2017, he was arrested in neighboring Palm Beach County, Florida, after being found asleep at the wheel; charges were later reduced to reckless driving after he pleaded guilty.[4][5]
Woods sustained serious leg injuries in a separate single-vehicle rollover crash near Los Angeles on February 23, 2021, requiring multiple surgeries.[6][7]
The Jupiter Links Golf Club member, co-founded by Woods, had recently returned to TGL competition in January 2025 after back surgeries.[8][9]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "TIGER WOODS ARRESTED IN DUI CRASH WITH ‘WHITE PILLS’ FOUND IN HIS POCKET, AFFIDAVIT SAYS", March 29, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/tiger-woods-arrested-dui-crash-white-pills-pocket-affidavit
- Martin County Sheriff's Office, Arrest affidavit and records page, March 2026, https://www.martinsheriff.org/arrest-records
- Associated Press, "Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle...", March 28, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/tiger-woods-crash-florida-2026
- Reuters, "Tiger Woods arrested for DUI in Florida", May 29, 2017, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-golf-woods-arrest/tiger-woods-arrested-for-dui-in-florida-idUSKBN18K2E4
- PGA Tour, "Tiger Woods pleads guilty to reckless driving", October 27, 2017, https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2017/10/27/tiger-woods-pleads-guilty-reckless-driving-florida-dui-arrest
- Reuters, "Tiger Woods seriously injured in California car crash", February 23, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-golf-woods-crash/golf-star-tiger-woods-seriously-injured-in-california-car-crash-idUSKBN2AM1X4
- New York Times, "Tiger Woods Injured in Car Crash Near Los Angeles", February 23, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/23/sports/golf/tiger-woods-car-crash.html
- TGL official website, "Jupiter Links Golf Club roster", accessed 2026, https://tgl.golf/team/jupiter-links-golf-club
- PGA Tour player profile, "Tiger Woods", accessed 2026, https://www.pgatour.com/player/08793/tiger-woods
