Tiger Woods said Tuesday night that he is stepping away from golf “for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health,” announcing the decision four days after his arrest on suspicion of DUI and refusal to submit to a lawful test following a rollover crash near his Florida home.
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today,” the 15-time major champion said in a statement posted to his social media accounts. “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. I’m committed to taking the time needed to return to 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.”
Woods entered a not-guilty plea Tuesday to misdemeanor charges of DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, according to court documents. Attorney Douglas Duncan of West Palm Beach filed the plea and a demand for a jury trial in Martin County Circuit Court in Stuart, Florida, and Woods waived an arraignment that had been set for April 23. Duncan did not immediately comment.
Woods, 50, last competed on the PGA Tour in July 2024, missing the cut at the Open Championship after multiple injuries over recent seasons. He had been working toward a possible return at next week’s Masters at Augusta National, where he is a five-time champion, and had been scheduled to attend a ceremony for “The Patch,” a municipal course in Augusta he helped design, and the Masters Champions Dinner. Augusta National said it fully supports Woods as he focuses on his well-being and that, although he will not attend in person, “his presence will be felt here in Augusta.”
The PGA Tour also issued support, calling Woods “a legend of our sport” and saying its focus is on his health. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp added that Woods has his “full respect and support” as he takes this step.
The arrest stemmed from a single-vehicle rollover Friday near Woods’ Jupiter Island residence. Martin County sheriff’s deputies say Woods’ Range Rover clipped a trailer being towed by a truck that had slowed to turn into a driveway; the SUV swerved, rolled onto its side and slid down the road. Woods exited the vehicle through a passenger window. According to the arrest affidavit, Woods told deputies he had been looking down at his cellphone and changing the radio station and did not see the truck slowing.
Deputy Tatiana Levenar wrote that Woods was “sweating profusely” and his movements were “lethargic and slow” during the interview. She said his eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” with pupils “extremely dilated” after he removed sunglasses. Woods told deputies he had taken prescription pills earlier in the morning; the affidavit shows the medication names were redacted. A second deputy later found two hydrocodone pills in Woods’ left pants pocket.
The Martin County sheriff said a breathalyzer showed no signs of alcohol, but Woods refused to submit to a urinalysis or blood test for other drugs, according to the sheriff’s office. Levenar had Woods perform four field sobriety tests while seated on a police cruiser bumper because of his medical condition; she wrote that, based on her observations and training, she believed Woods’ normal faculties were impaired and he was unable to safely operate the vehicle. Woods told deputies he has had seven back surgeries and more than 20 operations on his right leg stemming from a severe 2021 crash outside Los Angeles, explaining that he limps and his ankle “seizes” while walking. Levenar therefore had him sit for the rest of the investigation.
After his arrest, Woods was taken to Cleveland Clinic ER South but refused medical treatment and was returned to the Martin County Jail, later being released on $1,000 bond Friday night.
Woods’ legal history includes a 2017 arrest on suspicion of DUI after officers found him asleep at the wheel of a running car; he later pleaded guilty to reckless driving and entered a diversion program, also checking into a treatment facility for prescription drug issues at that time. In February 2021, Woods suffered major leg injuries when his SUV rolled several times in Los Angeles County. He had emergency surgery for open fractures to his lower right leg, a rod placed in his tibia and pins and screws in his foot and ankle, and was hospitalized for three weeks. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials said the vehicle involved in that crash was traveling between 84 and 87 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Woods has been active off the course, serving as chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee and a player director on several PGA Tour governance boards. The Tour reiterated its concern for Woods’ health and well-being as he steps away to seek treatment.
