Tiger Woods has been arrested on charges of driving under the influence after rolling his car in a crash in Florida, authorities have confirmed. The Martin County Sheriff's Office said the 15-time major champion was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Woods, 50, rolled his Land Rover after clipping a truck in Jupiter Island on Friday afternoon according to Sheriff John Budensiek.
Officers did not suspect the golfing legend of alcohol impairment but possibly by an unknown substance initially. The golfer had to crawl out of the passenger door of his vehicle before passing a breathalyser test after the crash. He refused a urine test which led to additional statutory charges against him despite being cooperative with police.
Sheriff Budensiek told reporters at a news conference that the crash happened after Woods allegedly attempted to overtake a pressure cleaner truck at a high rate of speed. Investigators came to the scene and noted Mr Woods did exemplify signs of impairment during several tests on him. He was placed under arrest after the incident which took place on Beach Road in Jupiter Island just before 14:00 local time on Friday.
The sheriff explained that investigators at the scene and jail were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved during the investigation process. Woods ultimately passed a breathalyser test with triple zeros showing no alcohol content in his system. He has a right to refuse that test but will be charged for refusing to take it according to statute law.
US president Donald Trump was asked about the crash on Friday saying he feels so badly regarding the situation involving Woods. He noted that Woods has got some difficulty and there was an accident that is all he knows at this moment. The president added that he is a very close friend of mine describing him as an amazing person and man.
This is not the first time Woods has been involved in a car accident where he played a limited schedule since the serious crash in 2021 that left him with extensive injuries. In 2017 police officers also found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home. A toxicology report found Woods had several legal medications in his system and marijuana's active ingredient leading to a year's probation after pleading guilty.
Another setback to Woods comeback plans is another unfortunate situation for him who has been recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture in March 2025 and back surgery in October. Earlier this week he competed in the TGL indoor league finals his first competitive golf for more than a year. He had not ruled out playing in April's Masters a tournament he has a huge affinity for according to recent statements.
That victory was arguably his greatest achievement in golf given the number of injuries he had to overcome to collect a fifth Green Jacket. However the sight of him grittily limping through four rounds on that same course in 2022 just 14 months after a life-threatening crash also lives long in the memory. Woods whose 82 career wins is level with Sam Snead for the all-time PGA Tour record has not competed at a major since missing the cut at the Open in July 2024.
Analysis suggests Masters participation looks increasingly unlikely for one of the all-time great sporting figures who has suffered massive injury problems for the best part of two decades now. Woods is battling to try to be fit for the Masters which takes place in less than two weeks from today. He did not seem overly optimistic he would be fit but was really trying to be at Augusta for the Masters.
We saw him hitting golf shots competitively in the indoor TGL league at the start of this week that was the first time since July 2024 we have seen him playing golf. That looks ever more unlikely given the scenario that is playing out in Florida right now. This concludes the current reporting on the legal proceedings surrounding the incident.
