Tiger Woods arrested after Florida car overturn, faces DUI charge

Tiger Woods, one of golf’s most decorated figures, was arrested in Florida after his vehicle overturned near his residence, with authorities charging him with driving under the influence, property damage, and refusing to submit to a lawful test.

According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Woods’ Land Rover overturned on a two-lane road near his home on Jupiter Island. He was taken into custody and is being held at the Martin County Jail, where state law requires a minimum detention period of eight hours.

Police said Woods registered zero on a breathalyser test but declined to undergo a urinalysis. Despite no substances being found inside the vehicle, officers noted he appeared to be under the influence of “some type of medication or drug.”

The latest incident adds to a history of off-course setbacks for the 15-time major champion. In 2017, Woods was arrested on a DUI charge in Jupiter Island, later pleading guilty to reckless driving. He was sentenced to one year of probation, fined $250, and ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.

Woods’ career has also been shaped by serious injury. In February 2021, he suffered multiple leg fractures in a high-impact crash in Southern California, an accident that curtailed his appearances on the PGA Tour.

Now 50, Woods is not expected to feature in next month’s The Masters, although reports indicate he had registered for the US Senior Open. He has recently hinted at a potential transition to the Champions Tour, acknowledging the physical challenges of competing at the highest level.

Speaking at the Genesis Invitational near Los Angeles, Woods admitted the toll of multiple surgeries. “I’m trying. Put it that way,” he said, referencing his recovery. “I’ve had a fused back and now a disc replacement, so it’s challenging.”

As the latest legal trouble unfolds, it casts fresh uncertainty over the future of one of golf’s most iconic careers, already navigating the delicate balance between recovery, legacy, and a possible return to competition.