Tiger Woods Arrested for DUI, Pleads Not Guilty, Says He Will Seek Treatment

The 50-year-old golf legend was found at the scene of a rollover crash with prescription painkillers in his pocket. He has since announced he is "stepping away" from golf to pursue treatment — days before the 2026 Masters.

What Happened

Tiger Woods, the 50-year-old 15-time major champion, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on Friday, March 28, 2026, following a rollover crash on a residential road near his home in Martin County, Florida, according to CNN and The Guardian's reporting on a probable cause affidavit released March 31.

According to the affidavit reviewed by The Guardian, Woods told Martin County sheriff's deputies that he had been looking down at his phone and changing the radio station before the crash. He told investigators he did not notice the vehicle in front of him had slowed down. He attempted to pass that vehicle by crossing a double yellow line into oncoming traffic, striking it with the front right side of his Land Rover SUV, causing him to lose control and flip onto the driver's side.

The driver of the other vehicle, identified in the affidavit as Jeremy Bullard, reported no injuries. The affidavit estimated roughly $5,000 in damage to Bullard's trailer.

Woods was the sole occupant of his vehicle. He could not exit from the driver's side because the SUV was pinned to the ground, and climbed out through the front passenger side, according to the affidavit cited by The Guardian.

Signs of Impairment and Arrest Details

According to the affidavit, deputies at the scene observed multiple signs of impairment. CNN reported that deputies described Woods as sweating profusely and presenting with "extremely dilated pupils." The Guardian's account of the affidavit noted another officer observed his eyes appeared "bloodshot and glassy" and that his speech and movements were "lethargic and slow."

Woods told investigators he had not consumed alcohol but said he had taken "a few" prescription medications earlier in the day, including Vicodin, as well as medication for blood pressure and cholesterol, according to the affidavit as reported by The Guardian.

A search following his arrest uncovered two pills in Woods's pocket that were later identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used to treat severe chronic pain, according to CNN. Deputies conducted field sobriety exercises during which Woods showed multiple signs of impairment. He advised officers that he had undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg, adding that his ankle can seize while walking, according to the affidavit.

Woods later submitted to a breath test, which showed no alcohol in his system, but he refused to provide a urine sample to test for drugs. He was charged with refusal to submit to testing in addition to DUI with property damage, according to The Guardian.

He was taken to a local hospital for medical clearance before being transported to the Martin County jail, where he declined medical treatment and was held for the mandatory eight hours under Florida law before posting $1,150 bail, according to The Guardian.

Not Guilty Plea and Legal Proceedings

Woods was charged with two misdemeanors — driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a lawful test — according to court documents reviewed by CNN. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

His attorney, Douglas Duncan, filed a waiver of arraignment — meaning Woods would not have to appear in court for an initial hearing — and a demand for a jury trial in Martin County court. The case is due back in court on May 5 for a docket sounding, according to CNN and The Guardian. Duncan also represented Woods in a 2017 DUI case in which prescription drugs, including hydrocodone, were also found in his system, CNN noted.

Woods' Public Statement

Three days after the crash, Woods issued his first public statement. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Woods said: "I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery."

He added: "I'm committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time."

The statement was published by multiple outlets including The Athletic (via The New York Times), CBS Sports, and NBC News on March 31, 2026.

Trump Weighs In

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he had spoken with Woods since the incident. In a phone interview with the New York Post, Trump said Woods "lives a life of pain" due to his injury history but is "doing great." Trump added: "He tested negative for alcohol, as you know, and he is under a tremendous physical pressure from his various ailments, you know, the back and the leg. He lives a life of pain. He has a lot of pain. He's an amazing guy. He's an amazing athlete. He does have pain." Trump concluded: "He doesn't have an alcohol problem, but he does have pain." Woods has been in a relationship with Trump's former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, for more than a year, according to The Guardian.

The Injury History Behind the Pain

The arrest and treatment announcement come against the backdrop of one of sports' most dramatic injury sagas. Woods has undergone seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his leg, according to the arrest affidavit cited by The Guardian. He ruptured his Achilles tendon in a more recent injury setback. He has not competed in an official PGA Tour event since July 2024, though he appeared last Tuesday in the TGL indoor golf league he co-founded with Rory McIlroy, according to The Guardian.

The crash marks the latest in a series of vehicle incidents for Woods. His most severe was a February 2021 crash in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, in which he sustained severe leg injuries that required multiple surgeries and nearly ended his career.

Masters Timing

The arrest and treatment announcement came less than two weeks before the 2026 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. CBS Sports reported that Woods had been on the entry list for the US Senior Open but had not committed, while his availability for the Masters had remained uncertain even before the crash. With his announcement that he is stepping away to seek treatment, his participation in Augusta appears ruled out.

Pattern and Context

The 2026 DUI is not Woods' first. In May 2017, he was found asleep at the wheel of his car in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and was arrested on a DUI charge. He later entered a diversion program and pleaded guilty to reckless driving, with the DUI charge dropped. Prescription drugs including hydrocodone were found in his system in that incident as well, according to CNN.

Hydrocodone is a powerful opioid prescribed for severe and chronic pain. The drug carries significant risks of impairment, dependence, and addiction, particularly for long-term users managing chronic pain conditions.

Why It Matters

Tiger Woods is widely considered the most influential golfer of the modern era and one of the most globally recognized athletes in history. His struggles with prescription medication — documented across multiple incidents — shed light on a broader issue facing athletes who manage chronic pain through opioid-based painkillers over long careers. The timing, days before the Masters, ensures this story will carry unusually high public and media attention. The legal case is still in early stages; the next court hearing is May 5.