Golf icon Tiger Woods has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) following a rollover crash in Jupiter, Florida. Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek reported that Woods exhibited "signs of impairment" after losing control of his vehicle on a two-lane road near his home. The incident occurred just after 2 p.m. on March 27, 2026, and Woods was the sole occupant of the car, a toppled Land Rover.
According to Sheriff Budensiek, Woods appeared "lethargic" post-crash but was not injured and managed to crawl out of the vehicle unaided before law enforcement arrived. Initial evaluations by experts on the scene suggested that Woods was not impaired by alcohol, but rather possibly under the influence of medication or drugs. Budensiek emphasized that while Woods passed a breathalyzer test, showing zero blood alcohol content, he refused to provide a urine sample when requested, leading to his DUI charge.
Woods has been charged with DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test, all of which are classified as misdemeanors. Budensiek clarified that although Woods had the right to refuse the urine test, this refusal resulted in an additional charge. As per the sheriff's comments, definitive results regarding any substances that may have impaired Woods’ driving at the time of the accident will not be available due to the refusal of the urine test.
Following the arrest, Woods was taken into custody and is expected to remain in jail for at least eight hours before he can post bond for his release. Notably, no drugs or medications were found in the vehicle following the crash, adding further complexity to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This latest arrest marks at least the fourth auto-related incident involving the famed golfer. It is the second time Woods has faced charges for driving under the influence. In 2017, he was arrested when police found him asleep in his vehicle, which was parked on the side of the road. At that time, Woods attributed his condition to a dangerous mix of prescribed painkillers, which he was taking to manage his various injuries. He ultimately pleaded guilty to reckless driving in that case.
In addition to the 2017 incident, Woods was involved in a severe car crash in 2021 in California that necessitated multiple surgeries on his leg. The injuries were so serious that doctors considered amputation, greatly affecting his already limited participation in professional golf.
Back in November 2009, Woods made headlines for another auto accident when he crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a fire hydrant and a tree in his neighbor's yard. This incident followed public scrutiny regarding his personal life, after a scandal involving allegations of infidelity surfaced. Police reports indicated that Woods was found lying in the street, attended to by his then-wife, Elin Nordegren, who had to break a window with a golf club to reach him.
Woods, now 50 years old, recently participated in competitive golf for the first time in over a year, taking part in the TGL Finals just prior to his arrest. His return to golf comes after an extensive recovery period following surgeries for a ruptured Achilles tendon and a back procedure in October 2025. As a prominent figure in the golf world, Woods' ongoing legal troubles may further impact his already complicated career.
