Golf legend Tiger Woods faces DUI charges after a rollover crash in Florida, marking another legal setback for the 15-time major champion.
JUPITER ISLAND: Tiger Woods was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a single-vehicle rollover crash near his Florida home.
The 50-year-old golf icon clipped a truck while attempting to overtake on a residential road, causing his vehicle to flip before sliding to a stop.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Woods showed signs of “impairment” at the scene, though he passed a breathalyzer test.
He was formally charged after refusing to submit to a urine analysis test requested by investigators.
“When it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused, and so he’s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test in the crash,” Budensiek said.
Drug recognition experts who examined Woods believed he was impaired by “some kind of medication or drug.”
However, under Florida law, Woods was entitled to refuse the urine test, meaning definitive results on the substance will remain unknown.
Sheriff Budensiek noted the incident on the small two-lane road “could have been a lot worse” had another vehicle been approaching.
While neither Woods nor the other driver was injured, the sheriff said photos of the crash scene indicated significant speed before impact in the 30 mile per hour zone.
The arrest marks Woods’ second DUI charge, following a 2017 incident in Florida.
President Donald Trump, a longtime friend, expressed sympathy for Woods following the crash.
“He’s got some difficulty, there was an accident, and that’s all I know,” Trump told reporters in Miami. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man, but, uh, some difficulty.”
Under Florida law, Woods will be detained for a minimum of eight hours before release.
Friday’s crash adds to a series of physical setbacks for Woods, who suffered severe leg injuries in a 2021 California car accident.
He required extensive surgery, including pins in his foot and ankle and a rod in his tibia, followed by another procedure in 2023.
Woods has been working to return from an Achilles tendon rupture last March and back surgery last October.
He competed in the TGL simulator indoor golf league finals earlier this week and had not ruled out playing in next month’s Masters tournament.
The 15-time major winner, whose 82 PGA Tour victories tie Sam Snead’s all-time record, last made a cut at the 2024 Masters, where he finished 60th.
