Golfer Tiger Woods was apprehended and accused of operating a vehicle while impaired, following his involvement in an overturned automobile collision in Jupiter Island, Florida, during Friday’s afternoon hours. Despite registering a 0.00 on a Breathalyzer examination, Woods nonetheless displayed indications of impairment at the incident site and later declined a urine test, as reported by Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek.
Law enforcement officials stated that the incident took place in the vicinity of 281 South Beach Road, approximately at 2 p.m. ET.
As per Budensiek, a pickup vehicle towing a trailer with a pressure washing unit was traveling north and attempting to enter a driveway when its driver noticed a Land Rover rapidly approaching. The truck could not evade in time, and although the Land Rover, which Woods owned, attempted a last-second maneuver to prevent impact, it made contact with the trailer’s rear and subsequently flipped onto its driver’s side.
Neither individual operating the vehicles sustained injuries at the location, and no additional occupants were present in the cars. Woods was transported to Martin County Detention Center and taken into custody for impaired driving resulting in property damage, along with declining a legally requested examination. He was processed at 3 p.m. and subsequently freed after 11 p.m. on Friday, having been held for eight hours, in accordance with Florida statutes.
Woods, who is 50 years old, exited his vehicle through the passenger door, with law enforcement personnel initially observing indications of intoxication. He detailed his numerous past injuries and medical procedures to the officers and also underwent “thorough roadside assessments.”
“He appeared sluggish at the location, which we attribute to the substance causing his intoxication,” Budensiek stated, further explaining that Woods’ impairment was “not due to alcohol but instead to some form of pharmaceutical or illicit substance.”
Martin County Sheriff’s Office
This marks the fourth documented vehicular incident involving Woods since the year 2009.
During November of 2009, Woods received a citation for imprudent driving subsequent to colliding an SUV with a fire hydrant and a tree situated near his residence at the time in Windermere.
Eight years subsequent, in May 2017, he admitted culpability for negligent operation of a vehicle after his apprehension on an impaired driving accusation in Jupiter, where law enforcement discovered him slumbering in the driver’s seat of a stationary automobile.
In February 2021, Woods sustained grave leg trauma following his involvement in an overturned vehicle incident in Southern California. Officials noted no signs of incapacitation or inebriation. He later endured numerous surgical procedures and required almost ten months for recuperation prior to resuming his golfing activities.
Woods’ re-entry into professional golf has constituted a prominent narrative ever since his most recent competition in July 2024 at The Open Championship.
The golf legend, holding 15 major titles, was recuperating from a ruptured Achilles tendon when he had spinal surgery in October 2025, marking his second such operation within a 13-month period, to substitute a degenerated lumbar disc. He participated in competitive golf for the first occasion since that procedure on Tuesday during the TGL Finals. Woods has undergone surgical interventions on his back on seven occasions since 2014.
Conjecture has arisen suggesting Woods might endeavor to compete in the 2026 Masters within a fortnight, however, he has not yet announced his official participation status for the inaugural major championship of the current season.
