Golf legend Tiger Woods arrested at crash scene on suspicion of DUI, sheriff says
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By The Associated Press and Boston25NewsStaff
JUPITER ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods showed signs of impairment and was arrested Friday at the scene of a car crash in which he struck another vehicle and rolled his Land Rover, authorities said.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said Woods and the person in the other vehicle were not injured. Woods was able to crawl out of the passenger side of his Land Rover.
The crash occurred just after 2 p.m. not far from where Woods lives on Jupiter Island. Budensiek said Woods attempted to pass a pressure cleaner truck while driving on a two-land road. He swerved to avoid a collision as he was passing the truck, but clipped the back end of the truck’s trailer. Woods’ vehicle then rolled onto its driver’s side.
Budensiek said investigators at the scene found Woods to be showing signs of impairment. He did a breathalyzer test, which came out negative, but he refused to take a urine test. Authorities charged him with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, Budensiek said. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Woods’ manager at Excel Sports did not immediately respond to a text message seeking information.
This was at least the third time Woods has been involved in a car crash, most recently in February 2021 when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at a high rate of speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries. Woods said later doctors considered amputation.
Woods has played 11 tournaments since that 2021 crash, not finishing closer than within 16 shots of the winner the four times he finished 72 holes.
name Tiger Woods of the Jupiter Links Golf Club plays a shot from a bunker on the eighth hole, during final day of TGL golf tournament, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens Fla. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (Reinhold Matay/AP)
The Genesis Invitational 2026 - Final Round PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on from the 18th green during the final round of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Country Club on February 22, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
The Genesis Invitational 2026 - Final Round PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Tiger Woods at the trophy ceremony on the 18th green during the final round of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Country Club on February 22, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Hero World Challenge 2025 - Final Round NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 07: Tiger Woods of The United States the tournament host watches the players warm up on the driving range during the final round of the Hero World Challenge 2025 at Albany Golf Course on December 07, 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) (David Cannon/Getty Images)
Hero World Challenge 2025 - Final Round NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 07: Tiger Woods of the United States looks on from the driving range during the final round of the Hero World Challenge 2025 at Albany Golf Course on December 07, 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Hero World Challenge 2025 - Final Round NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 07: Tiger Woods of The United States the tournament host at the official presentation ceremony after the final round of the Hero World Challenge 2025 at Albany Golf Course on December 07, 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images) (David Cannon/Getty Images)
Tiger Woods Tiger Woods hits a practice shot from a bunker before the TGL finals golf tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (Reinhold Matay/AP)
Tiger Woods Tiger Woods hits a practice iron from a grass pad before the TGL finals golf tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (Reinhold Matay/AP)
name Tiger Woods of the Jupiter Links Golf Club plays his shot from the second tee the TGL finals golf tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay) (Reinhold Matay/AP)
Genesis Invitational Golf Jacob Bridgeman, left, poses with Tiger Woods after winning the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman ) (Caroline Brehman/AP)
Genesis Invitational Golf Tiger Woods speaks after the final round of the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman) (Caroline Brehman/AP)
Genesis Invitational Golf Jacob Bridgeman, right, stands with Tiger Woods after winning the Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman ) (Caroline Brehman/AP)
Tiger's Time Golf Tiger Woods speaks to the media at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, ahead of the Genesis Invitational, where he is the tournament host. (AP Photo/Doug Ferguson) (Doug Ferguson/AP)
Tiger's Time Golf Tiger Woods speaks to the media at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, ahead of the Genesis Invitational, where he is the tournament host. (AP Photo/Doug Ferguson) (Doug Ferguson/AP)
Tiger at 50 Golf FILE - Tiger Woods walks off the 13th hole during the second round at the Masters golf tournament, April 6, 2018, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File) (Chris Carlson/AP)
Tiger Woods at 50 Photo Gallery FILE - Tiger Woods reacts to just missing an eagle putt on the 13th hole during the final round of the Buick Invitational golf tournament, Jan. 28, 2007, in San Diego, as Woods made birdie on the hole. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File) (Denis Poroy/AP)
Tiger at 50 Timeline Golf FILE - Tiger Woods reacts on the 18th hole after winning the Masters golf tournament in a playoff with Chris DiMarco during Augusta National Golf Club, April 10, 2005, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File) (Amy Sancetta/AP)
Tiger's Foundation Golf FILE - Golfer Tiger Woods announces the launch of a nationwide youth program called the "Fist Pump Challenge" in Anaheim, Calif., Jan. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Tiger Woods: The 15-time major champion turned 50 on Dec. 30. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Tiger at 50 Shots Golf FILE - Tiger Woods hits his second shot on the 18th hole from a fairway bunker during completion of his second round of the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club, in Chaska Minn., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2002. (AP Photo/Doug Mills) (Doug Mills/AP)
Tiger at 50 Golf FILE - Tiger Woods reacts as he wins the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) (David J. Phillip/AP)
Tiger at 50 Golf FILE - Tiger Woods watches his approach shot to the 18th green during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament Saturday, June 19, 2010, at the Pebble Beach Golf Links, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) (Eric Risberg/AP)
Tiger at 50 Golf FILE - Tiger Woods, right and his son Charlie Woods bump fists on the ninth green during the first round of the PNC Championship golf tournament, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski, File) (Kevin Kolczynski/AP)
Tiger Woods watching his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2015. (Stacker/Stacker)
He also was arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 when south Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car that was parked awkwardly with damage to the driver’s side. Woods said he had taken a bad mix of painkillers. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Woods won his fifth Masters, and 15th major, in 2019. He has 82 wins on the PGA Tour, tied for the all-time record with Sam Snead.
Woods, 50, had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery in September. He had not decided whether he could play in the Masters on April 9-12.
His last official tournament was the British Open in 2024. Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025 and that kept him off the course all season even before the back surgery. He managed to play in his indoor TGL golf league on Tuesday night.
He has kept deeply involved in PGA Tour affairs as chairman of the Future Competition Committee that is restructuring the model of the tour.
Woods also faced a soft deadline at the end of the month to decide whether to become U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland. Woods was offered the job for the last Ryder Cup and did not turn it down until June. The PGA of America wants a decision much sooner this time.