Golf icon Tiger Woods has been granted bail after being apprehended for driving under the influence following a vehicle accident in Florida.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, the 15-time major champion was additionally charged with damaging property and refusal to take a lawful test.
The 50-year-old Woods overturned his Land Rover after grazing a truck in Jupiter Island on Friday afternoon, as reported by Sheriff John Budensiek, who mentioned that officers did not suspect alcohol impairment but possibly an unknown substance.
Woods had to exit through the passenger side, successfully passed a breathalyzer test post-crash, but declined a urine test. Fortunately, no injuries occurred.
He spent eight hours in jail—the minimum duration as per state law—before being released on bail.
According to Budensiek, the accident occurred after Woods allegedly tried to pass a pressure cleaner truck at a “high rate of speed”.
DUI investigators arrived at the scene and Budensiek stated “Mr. Woods did show signs of impairment”.
“They conducted multiple tests on him,” Budensiek affirmed. “He clarified the injuries and surgeries he has undergone, and we considered that, but they performed some thorough roadside assessments.”
Woods was arrested following the incident, which transpired on Beach Road shortly before 2 PM local time (7 PM GMT).
Budensiek mentioned that investigators at the scene and in the jail were “not particularly suspicious of alcohol involvement” as Woods passed a breathalyzer test with “triple zeros”.
Budensiek stated Woods was “cooperative but was trying not to self-incriminate”.
“He is entitled to refuse that test,” Budensiek explained.
“There is a statute he will be charged with for declining that test, but we will never ascertain definite results concerning what he was impaired by during the crash.”
US President Donald Trump remarked: “I feel terrible. He is facing some challenges. There was an accident. That’s all I know.”
“He is a very close friend of mine. He’s an extraordinary person – an incredible man.”
The allegations against Woods are misdemeanors, rather than felonies.
The BBC has reached out to his representatives for a statement.
Further troubles for Woods
Woods has had a restricted schedule since the severe car accident in 2021 that caused him significant injuries and left him fortunate to survive.
In 2009, he crashed into a fire hydrant, a tree, and various hedges in a peculiar collision near his residence.
That incident led to allegations of extramarital relationships, resulting in the dissolution of his seven-year marriage and the loss of lucrative sponsorship contracts.
In 2017, police discovered Woods slumped over the steering wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz close to his residence in Florida.
A toxicology test indicated several legal medications in his body alongside the active ingredient of marijuana.
He received a year-long probation after pleading guilty to reckless driving.
Yet another hurdle in Woods’ plans for a comeback?
Woods has been in recovery since rupturing an Achilles tendon in March 2025 and undergoing back surgery in October.
Earlier this week, he competed in the TGL indoor league finals – marking his first competitive golf appearance in over a year – and he has not dismissed the possibility of participating in next month’s Masters, a tournament he holds a deep connection to.
Woods has achieved victory five times at Augusta National, which was the venue for his inaugural major title in 1997 and his most recent in 2019.
That win is arguably regarded as his most significant achievement in golf due to the numerous injuries he had to navigate.
However, the image of him perseveringly limping through four rounds on the same course in 2022, just 14 months post a life-threatening accident, remains vivid.
Woods, who shares the PGA Tour record of 82 career wins with Sam Snead, has not participated in a major since he missed the cut at The Open in July 2024.
His last made cut was at the 2024 Masters, where he concluded in 60th place.
‘Participation in the Masters appears increasingly improbable’
This serves as yet another significant drawback for one of the greatest sporting personalities ever, who has been confronting major injury issues for nearly two decades.
Woods is attempting to be prepared for the Masters, which commences in under two weeks.
We witnessed him striking golf shots competitively in the TGL league at the beginning of this week—his first appearance in competitive golf since July 2024.
He did not appear overly optimistic regarding his fitness, but he genuinely aimed to attend Augusta for the Masters.
Given the unfolding scenario in Florida, that ambition looks increasingly unlikely.
