Golf icon Tiger Woods has once again found himself at the centre of controversy after being arrested and charged following a crash in Florida that saw his vehicle overturn.
The 15-time major champion was taken into custody after attempting to pass a trailer, which led to a collision and caused his car to roll onto its side, with images from the scene showing the vehicle lying on the driver’s side, as per Sky News.
Despite the severity of the incident, Woods escaped without injury, as did the driver of the other vehicle, though officers on the scene described him as appearing ‘lethargic’ and showing signs of impairment.
Authorities believe the impairment may have been linked to medication rather than alcohol, with a breathalyser test returning negative results, but Woods refused to provide a urine sample when requested.
As a result, he was formally charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to comply with a lawful test, with officials confirming that the offences are not classified as felonies.
Sheriff John Budensiek stated that officers conducted multiple roadside assessments and determined that Woods displayed enough signs of impairment to warrant arrest, adding that the golfer had explained his history of injuries and surgeries during the process.
According to police, Woods had been travelling at high speed on a road with a 30mph limit when the crash occurred shortly after 2pm on Friday in the same town where he resides.
Following his arrest, the 50-year-old spent approximately eight hours in custody before being released on bail in the early hours of Saturday morning.
This latest incident adds to a turbulent chapter in Woods’ life, both on and off the course, following years of personal struggles and physical setbacks.
In 2017, he was arrested after being found asleep at the wheel in Florida, later pleading guilty to reckless driving, with reports at the time revealing multiple prescription drugs in his system.
His career was further disrupted in 2021 when he suffered severe leg and ankle injuries in a high-speed rollover crash in Los Angeles, requiring extensive surgery after being freed from the wreckage using cutting equipment.
The injuries were so serious that amputation was considered, and Woods underwent a long and difficult recovery that kept him out of competitive golf for more than a year.
He has since dealt with ongoing physical challenges, including a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2025 and further back surgery, limiting his appearances on the course.
Woods recently returned to action during the TGL finals, representing Jupiter Links GC, though his comeback remains uncertain as he weighs up participation in upcoming tournaments, including the Masters.
After the latest incident, Woods issued an apology to his family, friends and supporters, acknowledging the situation as another setback in a career that has seen both extraordinary highs and deeply public struggles.
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