Tiger Woods’ often dramatic life story took another turbulent twist Friday when he was arrested on suspicion of DUI after he was involved in an auto accident in which his SUV rolled onto its side after clipping another vehicle not far from his home in Jupiter Island, Florida.
According to the Martin County sheriff’s office, Woods was arrested and brought into custody where he was to be held for a minimum of eight hours after he “did exemplify signs of impairment” at the scene, sheriff John Budensiek said. After eight hours, Woods can be released on bond.
Alcohol was not involved but drug recognition experts on the scene said Woods appeared lethargic after climbing out the passenger-side door of his vehicle. Woods blew 0.00 on a breathalyzer test at the accident scene but refused a urinalysis at the sheriff’s office.
“On scene we had an expert evaluate him. We believe it was some type of medication or drug,” Budensiek said in a media briefing at 5 p.m. EDT.
Shortly before 2 p.m., a pickup truck pulling a pressure-washing trailer was preparing to turn into a driveway when the driver saw Woods’ vehicle approaching from behind at a high rate of speed, the sheriff said. When Woods swerved to avoid the vehicle, he clipped the trailer, leading the golfer’s car to roll onto its side and slide down the two-lane road before coming to rest.
“On scene we had an expert evaluate him. We believe it was some type of medication or drug. … This could have been a lot worse.” – Sheriff John Budensiek
There were no injuries on the scene. Woods, however, was charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, in addition to the DUI charge.
“This could have been a lot worse,” Budensiek said.
Budensiek added that Woods had been cooperative and, while in custody, he would not be among the general population being held at the facility.
The sheriff said, under Florida law, there will be follow-up testing on Woods and there will be no definitive results of what Woods was believed to be impaired by.
It is the fourth time Woods has been involved in an auto-related incident. In November 2009 he struck a fire hydrant near his house in Windermere, Florida, setting in motion a life-altering series of events.
Woods has not played on the PGA Tour since missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon and his career has been defined more by his injuries than his on-course performance in recent years.
He was found asleep in his car in Jupiter Island in May 2017, was arrested on DUI charges and took a plea of reckless driving.
A little more than five years ago, Woods suffered severe injuries in a one-car accident near Los Angeles that did serious damage to his right leg. Woods has undergone multiple surgeries to repair the damage to his leg from the accident in which his car rolled over several times.
Woods has not played on the PGA Tour since missing the cut at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon and his career has been defined more by his injuries than his on-course performance in recent years.
More recently, Woods has dealt with a torn Achilles tendon suffered last year and disk replacement surgery on his back last October. He competed in the TGL finals for his Jupiter Links team on Tuesday evening but he has remained noncommittal on whether he will play in the Masters Tournament in two weeks.
Woods, who turned 50 in December, has taken an active role in charting the new vision for the PGA Tour as a member of the powerful policy board and chairman of the future competition committee. He is also considering an invitation to serve as the U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland.