A somber Tiger Woods was seen disembarking his private jet on Wednesday afternoon, marking the golf legend’s first public sighting since his shock DUI arrest.
Woods, 50, was detained on March 27 after flipping his SUV while trying to overtake a truck and trailer at high speed in the billionaire enclave of Jupiter Island. Police found two pills in his pocket after arriving at the scene.
The golf legend has been charged with driving under the influence, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. He pleaded not guilty and is slated to appear in court on May 5.
In recent weeks, the 15-time major champion – who is dating Vanessa Trump – had been undergoing ‘intense treatment’ at a facility in Switzerland as a result of the crash, before officially touching back down on US soil on Wednesday afternoon.
Pictures obtained by The Daily Mail showed the 50-year-old deboarding his luxury Gulfstream G550 alongside his beloved pet dogs – a Border Collie–Springer Spaniel mix named Bugs and an Australian Shepherd named Lola.
There was no sign of girlfriend Vanessa – who has reportedly stood by Woods throughout the saga – when the golf icon arrived at Palm Beach International Airport.
A somber Tiger Woods was seen disembarking his private jet on Wednesday afternoon, marking the golf legend’s first public sighting since his shock DUI arrest back in March
Pictures obtained by The Daily Mail show the 50-year-old leaving his private jet on Wednesday
Woods was accompanied by his pet dogs – a Border Collie–Springer Spaniel mix named Bugs and an Australian Shepherd named Lola – as he arrived at Palm Beach International Airport
Woods has pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence and the Daily Mail reported last week that his lawyers are increasingly optimistic he could avoid jail time after his second DUI arrest in Florida since 2017.
Woods was traveling at high speeds on a beachside, residential road on Jupiter Island with a 30mph speed limit when his Land Rover caused $5,000 in damage to the truck, according to an incident report.
A sheriff’s office report said deputies found two pain pills in his pocket, and he showed signs of impairment after his SUV clipped a truck’s trailer and rolled onto its side.
Woods agreed to a breathalyzer test that showed no signs of alcohol, but refused a urine test, authorities said.
As a result of the worrying crash, the 15-time major champion had been undergoing ‘intense treatment’ at a facility in Zurich, Switzerland.
‘He’s got a pain management doctor who is helping him deal with his body pain without addictive opioids,’ a source told the Daily Mail last month. ‘He calls or Zooms a small number of people: Vanessa, his kids, [agent] Mark Steinberg.
‘He’s responding well to treatment, and Vanessa is very happy with what she’s hearing… it’s a 90-day program but he’s able to leave whenever he wants.’
The Daily Mail also reported that Vanessa – who has been in a relationship with Woods for around 18 months – was adamant he needed thorough professional help and wouldn’t stand for history repeating itself once more.
The golf legend looks on after disembarking his luxury Gulfstream G550 in Florida
Woods seen walking towards a private car that would eventually take him out of the airport
The golf legend wore a black top, gray shorts, a cap and sunglasses on Wednesday afternoon
This is the fourth time Woods has been in trouble after being behind the wheel of a car. Earlier this week, it emerged that prosecutors have been granted permission to access his medical records in the case – but those notes will not be made public.
The verdict was reached after a brief hearing in Martin County. Woods, 50, was not present due to being in Switzerland.
He was previously arrested for another DUI in 2017 after police found him slumped in his car in Florida with five drugs in his system, including two painkillers.
Woods was later involved in a similar crash in 2021 in California, which shattered his right leg after he was trapped under the vehicle.
He needed multiple surgeries in order to recover from his injuries, but didn’t face any charges and no blood test was ever conducted.
He also crashed into a fire hydrant in November 2009 as he tried to flee his Florida home after wife Elin Nordegren discovered he had been having an affair.
After completing his stint in rehab, there are now questions over whether the golf legend will attempt to make a return to the sport.
Last month, a ‘golf insider’ claimed that the 15-time major champion is ‘desperate’ to return to the sport once his rehab is complete.
The latest saga is the fourth time Woods has got himself in trouble behind the wheel of a car
Speaking to People, the source said: ‘He knows he needs to beat his issues and also deal with the pain from not only playing golf but also from his regular fitness schedule.
‘People around him are supporting him, both personally and professionally. All of this is helping him deal with it enough to get through it.’
Meanwhile, another source told the same outlet that Woods ‘still has golf in him’, despite the concerning incident that unfolded in Jupiter Island, Florida.
‘He just wants to get better in all areas of his life,’ the source revealed to the outlet.
Woods had flirted with a stunning Masters comeback prior to his arrest, although the possibility of it coming to fruition was always extremely unlikely.
‘Tiger paid casual attention to the Masters, but is more focused on recovery,’ the source added. ‘He’s getting both physical and psychological attention.’
