Tiger Woods announces treatment withdrawal following DUI arrest and Jupiter Island rollover crash

Tiger Woods, the 50-year-old professional golfer and 15-time major champion, announced on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, that he is stepping away from public life and professional golf for an unspecified period of time to seek treatment and focus on his health. The statement, published by Woods on the social media platform X, came four days after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence following a rollover vehicle crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, on Friday, 27 March 2026. The announcement effectively ended any prospect of Woods competing in the 2026 Masters Tournament, scheduled to begin on 6 April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

Woods crashed his Land Rover sport utility vehicle in Jupiter Island, Florida, not far from his residence, after attempting to pass a pressure cleaner truck on a two-lane residential road. The Land Rover clipped the back end of the truck’s trailer, causing the vehicle to roll onto its driver’s side. No serious injuries were reported among those involved. The other driver assisted Woods in exiting the overturned vehicle from the passenger side, as the driver’s side was pinned to the ground. Woods told deputies he had not noticed the truck slowing down because he was looking at his cell phone and adjusting the radio station at the time of impact.

What did the Martin County arrest affidavit reveal about Tiger Woods’ condition at the scene of the Jupiter Island crash?

The arrest affidavit released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, stated that Tiger Woods was sweating profusely, had bloodshot and glassy eyes, and presented with extremely dilated pupils when deputies arrived at the scene. Woods agreed to undergo a series of field sobriety exercises, not all of which he completed correctly. During one test that required him to follow the moving tip of a pen with his eyes, officers said Woods was unable to keep his head still and had to be instructed several times to keep it stationary. During a coordination evaluation, he failed to correctly follow all directions given.

Deputies found two white pills, subsequently identified as the opioid hydrocodone, in Woods’ pocket at the time of the arrest. Hydrocodone is a prescription opioid analgesic commonly prescribed for the management of moderate to severe pain and is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States. Woods told authorities he had not consumed any alcohol that day. When asked whether he had taken any prescription medication, Woods replied that he takes a few, and noted he had taken that medication earlier in the morning. He said he had not consumed any illegal substances.

Woods agreed to an alcohol breath test, the result of which showed 0.00, indicating no alcohol in his system. He refused to submit to a urine test, which could have been used to detect the presence of substances other than alcohol, resulting in an additional misdemeanour charge for that refusal. His driver’s licence has been suspended.

Woods disclosed to deputies that he has a limp, that his ankle seizes while walking, and that he has had seven back surgeries and more than twenty operations on his leg. A responding deputy concluded that Woods’ normal faculties were impaired and that he was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle.

What charges does Tiger Woods face under Florida law following his 27 March 2026 DUI arrest?

Tiger Woods was charged with two misdemeanours under Florida law: driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test. Woods pleaded not guilty to both charges in court on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. His attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed a waiver with the Martin County court stating that Woods is demanding a trial by jury. Woods also waived arraignment, foregoing his required appearances in all pretrial hearings.

Under Florida law, a first-time driving under the influence conviction can carry penalties including fines, mandatory licence suspension, community service, and probation. The refusal to submit to a chemical test carries its own statutory penalties and can be treated as a separate criminal charge in Florida courts. The specific outcome in the Woods case remains subject to the ongoing judicial process.

How does the 2026 Florida DUI arrest fit within Tiger Woods’ history of driving incidents and prescription medication use?

The 27 March 2026 arrest is not the first time Tiger Woods has been the subject of a driving-related incident in Florida or has faced scrutiny over prescription medication use. In May 2017, south Florida police found Woods asleep behind the wheel of a car that was parked with damage to the driver’s side. The prescription drugs Vicodin, Dilaudid, Xanax, and Ambien, as well as the psychoactive compound in marijuana, were found in his system following that arrest. Woods acknowledged he had taken a bad mix of painkillers and subsequently pleaded guilty to reckless driving. A month after the 2017 arrest, Woods entered a treatment clinic to address issues with prescription pain medication and a sleep disorder. His 12-month probation was contingent on completing recommended treatment, including driving under the influence school, 50 hours of community service, and random drug and alcohol testing.

In 2021, Woods was seriously injured in a rollover crash in Los Angeles County, California. Authorities said he was driving at least twice the speed limit in a 45-mile-per-hour zone when his car struck a tree, flew through the air, and landed on its side. He suffered compound fractures in both legs and a broken ankle, as well as damage requiring multiple subsequent surgeries. He was not charged in connection with the 2021 crash, and authorities ruled it an accident. The injuries sustained in that incident have required numerous additional operations and have significantly constrained his ability to compete at the professional level.

The sequence of incidents across 2009, 2017, 2021, and now 2026 has placed sustained public and institutional scrutiny on Woods’ long-term management of chronic pain and prescription opioid use. Woods himself told deputies at the scene of the 2026 crash that he has undergone seven back surgeries and more than twenty operations on his leg, underscoring the extent of his medical history and its relationship to ongoing pharmaceutical intervention.

Why Tiger Woods will not compete in the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club

The treatment announcement by Tiger Woods on 31 March 2026 effectively removes him from consideration for the 2026 Masters Tournament, scheduled to begin on 6 April at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Woods is a five-time Masters champion, having won the tournament in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2019. His 2019 victory at Augusta National, achieved following spinal fusion surgery and years of rehabilitation, remains among the most widely recognised comeback achievements in the history of professional sport.

Woods had made his return to competitive play on 24 March 2026 at TGL Golf, the professional indoor golf league he co-founded alongside golfer Rory McIlroy. His team, the Jupiter Links Golf Club, lost 9 to 2 in the match, though Woods was recorded hitting drives of more than 300 yards. The TGL appearance came just three days before the Jupiter Island crash. Woods had not competed in a professional golf tournament since July 2024 at The Open Championship.

Whether Woods returns to competitive golf following treatment remains uncertain. Industry reporting has noted that, should he resume playing, his next competitive step may involve the PGA Tour Champions, where players are permitted to use golf carts to reduce the physical toll of walking tournament courses. Woods had recently filed registration paperwork for the 2026 United States Senior Open, providing him with the option to participate in that championship in early July if he chooses. Woods holds an exemption into every Signature Event on the PGA Tour, giving him the flexibility to return to competition against the tour’s active membership at a time of his choosing following treatment.

What did the PGA Tour say about Tiger Woods following his DUI arrest and treatment announcement?

The PGA Tour released an institutional statement describing Tiger Woods as a legend of the sport whose impact extends far beyond his achievements on the course. The tour stated that its primary focus is on his health and well-being, and that Woods continues to have its full support as he takes this important step. PGA Tour chief executive officer Brian Rolapp described Woods as one of the most influential figures the sports world has ever known. Neither the PGA Tour nor Augusta National Golf Club has publicly indicated any change in Woods’ status as a member or his eligibility to compete in future events, subject to the resolution of his legal proceedings.

President Donald Trump, whose former daughter-in-law Vanessa Trump is reported to be in a relationship with Woods, commented on the incident, describing Woods as someone who lives a life of pain.

In his statement on X, Woods said he knows and understands the seriousness of the situation he finds himself in today. He stated that he is stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and to focus on his health, describing the step as necessary in order to prioritise his well-being and work toward lasting recovery. He added that he is committed to returning in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally, and requested privacy for his family, loved ones, and himself at this time.

What this development means for Tiger Woods, professional golf, and the broader public conversation around athlete injury and opioid use

• Tiger Woods was arrested on 27 March 2026 in Jupiter Island, Florida, on suspicion of driving under the influence following a Land Rover rollover crash; he pleaded not guilty on 31 March 2026 to two misdemeanour charges and is demanding a jury trial.
• The Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit confirmed the presence of two hydrocodone pills on Woods’ person, a 0.00 breathalyser reading, refusal to submit a urine test, and a field sobriety evaluation that a deputy concluded demonstrated impaired normal faculties.
• Tiger Woods announced on 31 March 2026 that he is stepping away indefinitely to seek treatment, effectively withdrawing from the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club and all near-term professional golf commitments.
• The 2026 arrest is the second driving under the influence-related incident involving Tiger Woods in Florida, following a 2017 arrest in which prescription opioids and other substances were detected; Woods entered treatment following that incident and pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
• The PGA Tour issued an institutional statement expressing full support for Tiger Woods’ health and well-being, while his competitive future including potential participation in the 2026 United States Senior Open remains subject to the outcome of both his legal proceedings and his treatment.