In 2017, after Woods was found by police slumped over his steering wheel, a toxicology report detected five different substances in his system, which were largely connected to painkillers and sleep aids.
He avoided a DUI charge by pleading guilty to reckless driving, but was put on a course. It is unknown if he attended a clinic, but we know he did check into a sex addiction clinic in the wake of the scandal in 2009 in which multiple extra-marital affairs were exposed. Woods also rolled over his vehicle in 2021, and was lucky to escape with his right leg, but was not tested by the LA police on that occasion.
After last Friday’s accident, Woods passed a roadside breathalyser but refused to have a urine test. Florida police claim he was “impaired”, and had “blood-shot, glassy eyes”. Two hydrocodone pills were found loose in his pocket, police also said. Woods seems ready to accept responsibility, but how does this tally with him pleading not guilty to DUI and asking for a jury?
Legal experts suggest that as it is his second time on a DUI charge, a plea deal is unlikely and that he has nothing to lose by going in front of his peers. However, any such trial will create widespread interest and many might wonder how this spotlight could possibly aid his recovery.
What about the Ryder Cup captaincy?
Woods has been offered the role for next year’s match in Ireland and, after keeping the PGA of America (PGAA) waiting until the summer of 2024 before ruling himself out of Bethpage 2025, had promised to give a quicker response this time.
Reports in America suggest the PGAA – which oversees the US arm of the biennial match – had set a “soft deadline” of the Masters, but had also drawn up a shortlist of alternative candidates. These are believed to include former Open champions Stewart Cink and Justin Leonard, with Keegan Bradley, the 2025 captain, even being touted for a re-run.