Golfing icon Tiger Woods has confirmed he will step away from professional competition to seek treatment and focus on his personal health, just days after his arrest on misdemeanor driving under the influence charges stemming from a car crash near his Florida residence. The 15-time major championship winner collided with a trailer pulled by a pickup truck last Friday, close to his Jupiter Island home, in an incident that left his sport utility vehicle overturned on its side. Remarkably, neither Woods nor the pickup truck driver suffered any physical injuries in the crash.
Law enforcement officers responding to the scene assessed Woods as impaired behind the wheel. Officers documented in their official accident report that Woods displayed multiple visible signs of impairment: he was sweating heavily, moved slowly and lethargically, had bloodshot, glassy eyes, and stumbled while walking, favoring his right side. Authorities also found two hydrocodone pills, a prescription opioid painkiller commonly used to manage chronic pain, in Woods’ possession. A breathalyzer test conducted at the scene detected no alcohol in his system, and Woods refused to complete a required urine test, leading to an additional charge of refusing a lawful chemical test.
Woods has entered a not guilty plea to all charges, telling investigators that his attention was distracted by adjusting his car radio and checking his mobile phone, which caused him to miss that traffic ahead had slowed down. He has waived his scheduled arraignment and formally requested a jury trial to resolve the case. He was released from Martin County Jail shortly after posting bond the same night as his arrest.
In a public statement released Tuesday, the 50-year-old golfer acknowledged the gravity of his current situation. “I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” Woods said. “I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.”
Woods’ long history of debilitating sports injuries and major medical procedures is well-documented. The golf star survived a catastrophic 2021 single-car crash in Southern California that left him with multiple compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle that required emergency surgery. He has since undergone seven separate back surgeries and more than 20 procedures on his injured leg, he told responding officers last week. Most recently, he underwent back surgery in October 2024 and suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025. He has not competed in a top-tier professional golf tournament since the 2024 British Open, though he did participate in a TGL indoor simulator golf event last week and had publicly discussed a potential return to competition at the upcoming Masters tournament. He previously made a widely celebrated return to the Masters in 2022, finishing 47th despite severe difficulty walking the full 72 holes at Augusta National.
Woods is still scheduled to attend the traditional Champions Dinner at Augusta National next week, ahead of the 90th running of the Masters tournament. In closing his statement, Woods emphasized his commitment to long-term recovery, saying he is taking the necessary time to rebuild his health for both his personal and professional life. “I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally,” he wrote. “I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”