Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after a rollover crash in Florida on Friday afternoon, local authorities said.
Martin County sheriff John Budensiek said Woods was driving a Land Rover that overturned after attempting to overtake a truck on a narrow two-lane road on Jupiter Island shortly before 2pm. The vehicle clipped a trailer, veered off and came to rest on its driver’s side after sliding along the roadway.
The truck had been slowing to turn into a driveway when Woods approached at what the sheriff described as a “high rate of speed” on a road with a 30mph limit.
Woods, who was alone in the vehicle, was able to exit through the passenger side. Investigators said he showed signs of impairment and was subjected to roadside tests before being taken into custody.
Authorities said a breath test showed no alcohol in his system, and investigators believed impairment was due to medication or drugs. No substances were found in the vehicle. Woods refused to submit to a urinalysis test and was charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
No injuries were reported, though Budensiek told reporters the outcome could have been far worse given the narrow roadway.
Budensiek said: “The DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr Woods did exemplify signs of impairment.
“They did several tests on him. He did explain the injuries and surgeries that he’s had and we did take that into account, but they did so some in-depth roadside tests.
“When it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail.
“At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.
“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused and so he has been charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”
When investigators arrived, Woods appeared “lethargic” at the scene and police believe he was “impaired on medication”.
He will be kept in jail for at least eight hours before being eligible for release on bond. The offences are not felonies.
The driver of the other vehicle was also unhurt.
It is the latest in a series of traffic-related incidents involving Woods. In February 2021, he was seriously injured when his SUV veered off a coastal road in Los Angeles at high speed, suffering multiple leg and ankle injuries so severe that, he later said, doctors considered amputation.
Woods was also arrested in 2017 on a DUI charge after police in south Florida found him asleep behind the wheel of a damaged vehicle. He later said he had taken a problematic mix of prescription medications and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
The 50-year-old has played a limited schedule in recent years while working his way back from multiple injuries and surgeries, including a seventh back procedure and a ruptured Achilles tendon. He has not competed in an official PGA Tour event since July 2024, though he appeared earlier this week in the TGL indoor league he cofounded with Rory McIlroy.
Woods has entered this year’s US Senior Open but has not committed to playing, and his availability for next month’s Masters at Augusta National Golf Club remains uncertain.
An 82-time winner on the PGA Tour, Woods is tied with Sam Snead for the most victories in history and last won a Major at the 2019 Masters, his fifth title at Augusta. – Guardian