Miami (AFP) – Golf superstar Tiger Woods pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to driving under the influence in the case of his Florida car crash after having told authorities he was looking at his phone and changing radio channels. Woods made the plea in Martin Circuit Court regarding his car crash last Friday, just hours after authorities released an accident report in the case. He waived a planned arraignment and demanded a jury trial in the matter.
Police said in the report that Woods was found with two hydrocodone pills, an opioid painkiller, and appeared unable to safely drive a vehicle when he was apprehended. Woods was arrested after his SUV clipped a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck on Jupiter Island, Florida, near his home. His vehicle rolled onto its side, and Woods was forced to exit from the passenger’s side door. Neither he nor the truck driver were injured.
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Woods, a 15-time major champion, was charged with suspicion of misdemeanor DUI with property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test when he did not submit to urine tests after a breathalyzer test showed no alcohol in his system. He posted bond and was released from the Martin County jail on Friday night.
In the accident report from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said Woods “stated he was looking down at his cell phone and changing the radio station and did not notice the vehicle in front of him had slowed down.” Sheriff’s deputies noted that Woods was observed “sweating profusely” and described his movements as “lethargic and slow,” with eyes that were “bloodshot and glassy.” He was “limping and stumbling to the right” while walking.
Asked about his medical condition, the report stated, “Woods advised he’s had seven back surgeries and over 20 operations on his leg… Woods advised he has a limp and his ankle seizes while walking.” Woods, 50, suffered severe leg injuries in a 2021 single-car crash in California, undergoing emergency surgery for multiple compound fractures in his right leg and a shattered ankle. He returned to competition at the 2022 Masters and finished 47th despite struggling simply to walk 72 holes at Augusta National.
After taking sobriety exams at the scene of the crash on Friday, Woods was found to be impaired and unable to safely operate a vehicle, according to the report. Next week, Woods is scheduled to attend the Champions Dinner at Augusta National ahead of the 90th Masters. He has not competed in a top-level golf event since the 2024 British Open, having suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon in March 2025 and undergoing back surgery last October. Last week, he took part in a TGL simulator indoor golf event and had discussed a possible return at the Masters.
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