The arrest of Tiger Woods on DUI charges following a rollover accident in Florida raises fresh questions about the legendary golfer’s health struggles and throws his potential return to competitive play into serious doubt. Woods, 50, was taken into custody by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office after his Land Rover flipped onto its side on Jupiter Island, marking his second DUI arrest in less than a decade.
President Donald Trump, a close friend of Woods, commented on the arrest while arriving in Miami for an investment summit. “I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty,” Trump told reporters. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man. But some difficulty.” Woods is dating Vanessa Trump, 48, the president’s former daughter-in-law and ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr.
The crash happened just before 2 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026, along South Beach Road, a two-lane residential street with a posted 30 mph limit. A northbound truck pulling a pressure-cleaner trailer had begun turning into a driveway when Woods attempted to pass from behind at high speed. His SUV clipped the trailer, causing the Land Rover to roll onto its driver’s side and slide across the pavement. Woods emerged uninjured through the passenger side.
Deputies who responded to the scene observed Woods displaying what Sheriff John Budensiek called “lethargic” behavior, indicating possible impairment. Woods submitted to a breathalyzer test that showed a 0.00 reading, ruling out alcohol. A Drug Recognition Expert assessed that his condition appeared consistent with impairment from medication or drugs. When authorities requested a urine test, Woods declined, resulting in a second misdemeanor charge for refusing to submit to a lawful test. No controlled substances were discovered inside the vehicle.
Authorities transported Woods to the Martin County Jail in Stuart around 3 p.m., where Florida statute mandated he remain for a minimum of eight hours. After posting bail, he departed the facility just before midnight as a passenger in a black SUV, surrounded by photographers.
Sheriff Budensiek emphasized the potential severity of the accident during his press conference. “Had there been somebody moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there was no injuries,” he said. “This could have been a lot worse.” He noted that the narrow roadway provides minimal space for vehicles to maneuver, and oncoming traffic could have transformed the incident into a fatal collision. The truck driver was not injured.
This represents Woods’ second encounter with DUI charges. Jupiter police discovered him unconscious in his Mercedes-Benz in May 2017 and had to rouse him. Testing revealed five substances in his system: Vicodin, Dilaudid, Xanax, Ambien, and THC. Woods subsequently issued an apology to his family, friends, and fans, attributing the incident to an unanticipated reaction to prescribed medications. He entered a guilty plea to reckless driving and completed a diversion program that expunged his record.
Woods also endured a catastrophic single-vehicle accident on February 23, 2021, in Rolling Hills Estates, California, that demolished his Genesis GV80 and almost resulted in the loss of his right leg. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office determined he was driving between 84 and 87 mph in a 45 mph zone when he lost control. Open fractures to his lower right leg required emergency surgery, insertion of a rod in his tibia, and placement of screws and pins in his foot and ankle. He remained hospitalized for three weeks and spent three months in a hospital-type bed at home recovering. That crash showed no signs of impairment and was ruled an accident caused by excessive speed.
Woods’ arrest happened just three days after he participated in the TGL Finals at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens—his first competitive golf in more than a year. His Jupiter Links Golf Club team fell to the Los Angeles Golf Club, which claimed the SoFi Cup with a 9-2 victory. Woods had hope that competing at The Masters would be possible as he continued rehabilitation from a ruptured Achilles tendon in March 2025 and a seventh back surgery in October. The prestigious tournament began on April 9, 2026, but he did not participate.
Woods pleaded not guilty and announced he was stepping away from golf to seek treatment, saying he wanted to “prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery.” He also turned down the role of U.S. captain for the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland.
He was granted permission to travel out of the country for treatment and is reportedly in Switzerland.
Prosecutors filed a subpoena for Woods’ prescription drug records from a Florida pharmacy covering January through March, and also demanded he identify any defense witnesses. His attorney Doug Duncan filed a motion arguing Woods has a constitutional right to privacy over his prescription records, and is asking a judge to hold a hearing to determine whether the records are genuinely necessary.
The next scheduled court hearing is April 23, though whether Woods will be present — given he’s in Switzerland — remains unclear.
According to Forbes, Woods is worth $1.5 billion. He has earned roughly $1.8 billion before taxes throughout his professional golf career, establishing him as the wealthiest golfer in history and only the second active athlete to achieve billionaire status, alongside LeBron James. Woods holds the PGA Tour record with $121 million in prize money, though approximately 90% of his wealth derives from endorsements and business ventures rather than tournament winnings.
Mark Steinberg, Woods’ longtime agent, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The arrest represents another tumultuous episode in Woods’ personal history, which has featured highly publicized battles with pain medication following numerous surgeries undertaken to prolong his playing career. Despite these challenges, Woods remains one of golf’s most recognizable and influential figures—a 15-time major champion who transformed the sport and continues to draw massive interest whenever he steps onto a course.
Whether this latest incident derails what remained of his comeback attempts or prompts a more serious reckoning with his health challenges, the golf world—and millions of fans who have followed his extraordinary career—will be watching closely.
