Golf legend Tiger Woods was arrested Friday afternoon on suspicion of driving under the influence following a single-vehicle rollover crash on a narrow road near his home here, authorities said. No one was injured in the incident.
The crash occurred around 2 p.m. in the 280 block of South Beach Road on Jupiter Island. According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, Woods was driving a Land Rover northbound at a high rate of speed behind a truck pulling a small pressure-cleaning trailer. As the truck slowed to turn into a driveway, Woods attempted to pass it, clipped the rear corner of the trailer with the passenger side of his SUV, and caused the Land Rover to roll over onto its driver’s side.
Woods, 50, was able to exit the vehicle through the passenger door and was not injured. The driver of the truck also escaped injury. The sheriff noted that the outcome could have been far more serious had oncoming traffic been present on the two-lane road.
Deputies at the scene observed signs of impairment, describing Woods as lethargic. He cooperated with a breathalyzer test, which registered zero for alcohol, but refused to provide a urine sample for further testing. Authorities believe he may have been under the influence of prescribed medication related to ongoing pain from multiple surgeries and back issues. Woods was arrested on a misdemeanor DUI charge, along with refusal to submit to a lawful test and property damage.
He was booked into the Martin County Jail in Stuart, where Florida law required him to remain for at least eight hours. He was released later that evening after posting bail. His mug shot, showing a weary expression, quickly circulated on social media.
This marks at least the fourth high-profile car-related incident involving Woods and his second DUI arrest. His most serious previous crash came in February 2021, when he suffered severe leg injuries in a single-vehicle rollover in California.
Woods has been dealing with significant physical challenges in recent years, including multiple back surgeries that have limited his competitive golf schedule. He had been preparing for a potential appearance at the 2026 Masters, where his name remains on the early field list despite the incident.
No immediate statement has been released by Woods or his representatives. The incident has drawn concern from those close to him, including reports about reactions from his ex-wife Elin Nordegren and current partner Vanessa Trump, amid questions about his decision not to employ a driver due to privacy concerns.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate. Woods faces an uncertain path both on and off the course as he navigates the legal and personal fallout from the latest event in a career marked by remarkable triumphs and persistent adversity.
