Tiger Woods was arrested for driving under the influence after being involved in a rollover car crash on Friday afternoon.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the incident took place on Jupiter Island, in the same town where 50-year-old Woods lives, just after 2pm local time.
Woods was assessed by Drug Recognition Experts on the scene and after it was determined that he was “impaired”, he was taken to the county jail for testing.
It was confirmed that no injuries were sustained in the crash although sheriff John Budensiek was quick to emphasise this “could’ve been a lot worse”.
Here’s everything we know.
How did the crash happen?
Sheriff Budensiek gave a full rundown of the police’s initial investigation into the crash during his press conference.
A truck with a pressure-washing apparatus was driving down South Beach Road shortly before 2pm and was turning into a driveway, slowing down, the driver of that vehicle saw a dark-coloured Land Rover coming to overtake him at speed.
The driver tried to edge off the side of the road to avoid a collision but with this being a small two-lane street, there was “no shoulder” for the vehicle to move into.
The driver of the Land Rover, identified as Woods, then swerved last minute to himself avoid a crash but clipped the end of the trailer carrying the pressure cleaning apparatus, causing him to list to the side and roll onto the driver’s door before skidding down the road.
“The individual driving that Land Rover was able to crawl out the passenger door of the car and was identified to be Mr. Tiger Woods,” said Budensiek.
Why was Woods arrested?
After roadside tests by responding officers, Woods was deemed under the influence and arrested.
“ Our DUI investigators came to the scene here and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment,” Budensiek said.
“They they did several tests on him. Of course, he did explain the injuries and the surgeries that he had, We did take that into account, but they did do some in-depth roadside tests.
“And when it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail.”
Woods passed a breathalyser test at the jail but refused to give a urine sample for analysis, with Budensiek saying Woods was “co-operative while “not trying to incriminate himself”. The suspicion is therefore that he was under the influence of medication or drugs rather than alcohol, though there was no medication in his car.
“We will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash,” Budensiek added, with Woods having the right to refuse testing.
Woods has been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. These are misdemeanour charges rather than felonies.
Were there any injuries?
It was confirmed that neither Woods, who was the only one in his Land Rover, nor the driver of the pressure washer vehicle were injured in the crash.
Speaking on Woods, Budensiek said: “He was not injured. Again, he was lethargic on scene, but that we believe was because of what he was intoxicated on.”
Budensiek also expressed his relief that no passers-by were hurt in the incident.
He said: “Thankfully no (nobody was injured). This is a small two-lane road. Had somebody been moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there were no injuries. This could have been a lot worse.”
How fast was Woods driving?
Authorities were unable to provide an exact speed of Woods’ car when he crashed but gave an indication that it was much higher than the 30mph speed limit.
“If the question is ‘can I give you a general idea of how fast,’ the answer is I can’t but I can tell you this and when I show you photos, they kind of speak for themselves,” Martin County sheriff John Budensiek said.
“ You can see where he clipped the back of the trailer. You can see where he rolled and then as he decelerates sliding down on the driver’s door of the vehicle. You can see that he slid for a pretty decent space before he came to the stop.”
When will Woods get out of jail?
Under Florida state law, Woods must remain in jail for at least eight hours before being released on bond, presuming he posts bail.
Budensiek confirmed that Woods will be isolated to his own cell and hit back at any suggestion that Woods was getting preferential treatment, emphasising that while he will get his comeuppance, “he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail”.
“Let me go back to the simplicity of this for the sheriff’s office,” he said. “We know we arrested a high profile figure. I’m not trying to dramatise, but it doesn’t matter who you are. If you break the law, we’re going to follow the law. That’s a really easy path to take.
“Now, as far as being in the jail, we’re going to make sure he is safe. We’re not going to put him in general population. He’s not going to be with other inmates that could hurt him or try to capitalise on what he did. He’ll pay the price, but he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail.”
Who has reacted to the crash?
US president Donald Trump commented on Woods’ crash and said he “feels so badly” for his close friend.
“He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said on the tarmac. “There was an accident and that’s all I know. He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man. Some difficulty, I don’t want to talk about it.”
While the golf world has reacted online, very few of Woods’ pro golfing adversaries have spoken out or issued statements.
Woods’ concerning history with car crashes
This is the third major crash Woods has been involved in and the second time it has led to a DUI arrest.
The American was taken into custody for driving under the influence in Florida in 2017, after which he checked himself into a clinic for prescription medication.
Woods was also previously involved in a high-profile rollover crash in California in 2021, which left him with serious injuries. Authorities said he was driving at least twice the 45mph speed limit when he SUV struck a tree, causing the vehicle to fly through the air and land on its side.
At the 2021 Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, Woods said: “I’m lucky to be alive and also have a limb,” revealing it was 50-50 as to whether part of his right leg would require amputation.
How will this impact his golfing comeback?
Woods had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery last September and his status for next month’s Masters remains unclear.
He admitted he got his “a*** kicked” after returning to golf in the virtual league with his team Jupiter Links, who lost in the TGL Finals.
His last official tournament was The Open in 2024, rupturing his Achilles tendon in March 2025 which that kept him off the course all season prior to back surgery.
And while the 15-time major champion has lifetime eligibility to play at The Masters, as a previous five-time winner of the green jacket, Trump suggested a decision had already been made.
“I love Tiger, but he won’t be there,” Trump said while appearing on “The Five” on FOX News. “He’ll be there, but he won’t be playing in it.”
This latest arrest may also prevent him from captaining Team USA at next year’s Ryder Cup, an offer which he confirmed he was weighing up.
