March 27 (Reuters) – Former world number one Tiger Woods was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after his Land Rover rolled over on a two-lane road near his Jupiter Island home in Florida on Friday afternoon, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.
The 15-times major champion was released later on Friday, with Florida law requiring him to remain in jail for at least eight hours before he could post bail.
Woods had been overtaking a work truck pulling a trailer at high speed when he clipped the back of it, causing his vehicle to roll onto its driver’s side, Sheriff John Budensiek told a press conference.
The 50-year-old crawled out of the passenger door before law enforcement officers arrived. A breathalyzer test at Martin County Jail returned no trace of alcohol, with investigators believing his impairment was drug or medication-related.
Woods refused to submit to a urine test, an offence that carries a separate charge under Florida law. No injuries were reported to Woods or the driver of the other vehicle.
Woods was charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, all misdemeanor charges.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he had heard about the incident.
“I feel so badly. There was an accident. He’s got some difficulty. There was an accident, and that’s all I know. A very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man,” Trump said.
It was the second time Woods has faced DUI charges, having been arrested in 2017 in Jupiter, Florida, later pleading guilty to reckless driving.
Woods was also involved in a serious car crash in February 2021, suffering severe leg fractures.
His injury history spans more than two decades and includes multiple back surgeries, ACL reconstruction, Achilles tendon ruptures and chronic knee issues, all of which have significantly limited his competitive schedule in recent years.
