Tiger Woods Arrested for DUI Following Rollover Car Accident in Florida

Tiger Woods, the 50-year-old professional golfer, was arrested on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Jupiter Island, Florida, after his black Range Rover SUV rolled onto its side following a collision with a truck, with authorities charging him with driving under the influence of substances, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test. The Martin County Sheriff's Office confirmed the crash occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m. local time. A breathalyzer test returned a reading of zero, clearing Woods of alcohol consumption, but sheriff John Budensiek said Woods displayed visible signs of impairment and refused to provide a urine sample. Neither Woods nor the other driver involved sustained injuries in the crash. Woods was transported to Martin County jail, where he was required to remain for at least eight hours before becoming eligible for release on bail.

Sheriff describes Woods as "apathetic" at the scene At a press conference held roughly two hours after the incident, Sheriff John Budensiek described Woods as "apathetic" and said the golfer showed signs of difficulty speaking and moving. Woods told officers about his history of injuries and surgeries, which Budensiek acknowledged, but said investigators nonetheless conducted thorough roadside tests before determining that an arrest was warranted. Investigators said they suspect Woods had taken "some medication or a drug," according to reporting by Der Tagesspiegel citing the sheriff's remarks. Budensiek addressed questions about whether Woods would receive preferential treatment, stating that the sheriff's office would ensure his safety in custody but that the law applied equally regardless of a person's fame. „No matter who you are: if you break the law, we will enforce it. It's a very easy road to follow.” — John Budensiek via El País Budensiek added that Woods would be kept separate from the general inmate population for his own safety.

High-speed overtaking maneuver preceded the rollover According to Sheriff Budensiek, Woods was driving his SUV at high speed and attempted to overtake another vehicle, which was simultaneously attempting to turn. Woods' Range Rover clipped the rear trailer of the other vehicle, causing the SUV to tip onto its side and slide across the roadway. Woods then climbed to the passenger-side window and exited the overturned vehicle through it, according to El País, citing local press accounts. Local news channel WPTV broadcast photographs showing the black Range Rover lying on its side on the road, with police cars and tow trucks visible at the scene. The property damage charge relates to the contact made with the other vehicle's trailer. The other driver was not reported to have suffered any injuries.

Woods has been involved in a series of driving incidents stretching back nearly two decades. In 2009, he crashed his SUV into a tree after striking a fire hydrant, an accident that led to the public disclosure of multiple extramarital relationships. In 2017, he was found asleep at the wheel and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, later pleading guilty to reckless driving and paying a fine of 250 dollars, according to Franceinfo. In February 2021, his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at high speed, causing serious leg and ankle injuries that, by his own account, led doctors to consider amputation.

Masters appearance now in serious doubt after latest setback The arrest comes at a particularly sensitive moment in Woods' career, as the golf world had been watching closely to see whether he would compete in the Masters tournament, scheduled to begin on April 9 in Augusta. Woods had undergone a torn Achilles tendon repair in March 2025 and a further back surgery in the autumn of 2025, his seventh such procedure, according to the AP. His last competitive appearance was at the British Open in July 2024, where he missed the cut, according to VRT NWS. Just days before the crash, Woods had drawn attention by making shots at the Tomorrow's Golf League event, fueling speculation about a potential return to the Masters. „This body... It doesn't recover the way it did when I was 24, 25. That doesn't mean I don't try.” — Tiger Woods via Der Tagesspiegel Woods holds 15 (major titles) — major championship victories across his career and is regarded as one of the most decorated golfers in the history of the sport, according to his PGA Tour record.

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