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mark schlabach
multiple authors
Tiger Woods “He’s going to take some time away to get treatment and focus on my health,” he said Tuesday night, four days after being arrested on suspicion of DUI and refusing to take a valid test because of a rollover accident in Florida.
“I know and understand the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in today,” the 15-time major champion said in a statement posted on his social media account. “I am taking some time away to receive treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.
“I am committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger and more centered place personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones, and myself at this time.”
– Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) 31 March 2026
According to court documents, Woods’ statement came hours after he entered a plea of not guilty to charges of misdemeanor DUI, destruction of property and refusing a legal test.
West Palm Beach, Florida attorney Douglas Duncan presented Woods’ not guilty plea and asked for a jury trial in Martin County Circuit Court in Stuart, Florida.
Woods also waived his arraignment hearing, which was scheduled for April 23.
Duncan did not immediately respond to ESPN’s request for comment.
Woods, 50, last played on the PGA Tour in July 2024, when he missed the cut at The Open Championship.
The five-time Masters champion was working toward a return to competition at next week’s tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, his first major championship of the season.
Even if Woods does not return to action, he was scheduled to participate in Sunday’s ceremony for the opening of “The Patch,” a municipal golf course in Augusta, where he built a new short course and helped redesign the existing 18 holes.
Woods was also expected to attend the annual Champions Dinner at Augusta National on April 7.
“Tiger Woods is a legend of our game whose impact goes far beyond his accomplishments on the course,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. “But above all, Tiger is a human being and our focus is on his health and well-being. We continue to support Tiger as he takes this important step.”
Even though Woods has been sidelined by injuries the past four seasons, he has remained heavily involved in the operations of the PGA Tour, serving as chairman of the Future Competition Committee and a player director on the PGA Tour Enterprises Board, PGA Tour Policy Board and Player Advisory Council.
“Tiger Woods is one of the most influential figures the sport has ever known,” PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said in a statement. “Over the past year, I have come to deeply appreciate Tiger, not only for his impact on the game, but also for his friendship and the vision he shared with me as I joined the golf industry. My thoughts are with him and his family as he makes this step, for which he has my full respect and support.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Department released an arrest affidavit that included details of Woods’ arrest after a rollover crash Friday near his home on Jupiter Island, Florida.
According to the affidavit, Woods told officers he was looking at his cell phone and changing the radio station in his SUV, which is why he didn’t see a truck slowing down.
Martin County Sheriff’s Deputy Tatiana Levenar wrote in an arrest affidavit that Woods was “sweating excessively” and his movements were “lethargic and slow” when she interviewed him.
Martin County Sheriff John Budenciak said Friday that Woods’ breathalyzer test showed no signs of alcohol. According to the sheriff, Woods refused to submit to a urine test or blood test for other drugs.
Woods’ Range Rover SUV overturned after colliding with a trailer being pulled by a truck. The truck had slowed to turn into a driveway. Woods’ SUV turned, flipped onto its side, and slid off the road. Woods climbed out the passenger window to get out.
After Woods agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, Levener observed him “limping and staggering to his right”.
Woods told deputies he has had seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his right leg, which he seriously injured in a car accident outside Los Angeles in February 2021.
“I asked Woods if he was able to do things like walk and lift his legs, Woods stated he was limping and his ankle was tight when walking,” Levener wrote in the affidavit.
Due to his medical condition, Levenar asked Woods to sit on the bumper of the police cruiser for the rest of the investigation.
Once Woods removed his sunglasses, Levener noticed that his eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and his pupils were “extremely dilated”.
The deputy asked Woods if he drank alcohol, and he replied: “No.”
When Levener asked if Woods took any prescription medications, he said: “I take some.” According to the report, Woods said he had taken prescription pills early in the morning.
The names of the medicines were modified in the affidavit.
According to the arrest affidavit, another Martin County Sheriff’s deputy found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket. Hydrocodone was the drug found in Woods’ system when he was arrested on a DUI charge in May 2017.
Levener instructed Woods to perform a series of four field sobriety tests while sitting on the bumper of a police cruiser.
“Based on my observations of Woods, how he practiced and based on my training, knowledge and experience, I believed that [Woods’] Normal functions were impaired, and he was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle,” Levener wrote.
After Woods was arrested, he was taken to the Cleveland Clinic ER South, but he refused all medical treatment. He was taken back to the Martin County Jail, where he remained until he was released Friday night on $1,000 bond.
Duncan represented Woods in a 2017 case in which the golfer was arrested on suspicion of DUI after police officers found him sleeping in his running car, which had two flat tires and damaged front and rear bumpers. Woods said he had taken a bad combination of painkillers.
Woods later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and agreed to enter a diversion program as part of the plea agreement. Woods checked into a treatment facility that year to get help with prescription drugs.
In February 2021, Woods suffered serious leg injuries in a car accident outside Los Angeles in which his SUV rolled multiple times and trapped him inside. He later had surgery to deal with an “open fracture” in his lower right leg, had a rod inserted in his tibia and had screws and pins inserted in his foot and ankle during emergency surgery. Woods was hospitalized for three weeks after the surgery.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at the time that Woods’ vehicle was traveling between 84 and 87 mph in a 45 mph speed limit zone.
