Tiger Woods Arrested for DUI After Rollover Crash in Florida: Golf Icon Faces New Legal Turmoil

(Tiger Woods Car Accident )

Tiger Woods’ tumultuous career has taken another dramatic turn. The 15-time major champion was arrested and charged with driving under the influence on Friday, March 27, 2026, after his vehicle was involved in a rollover crash near his Florida home .

Authorities say Woods, 50, escaped injury in the crash, but his decision to refuse a urine test and signs of impairment observed at the scene led to his arrest on multiple charges . The incident marks the third time Woods has been involved in a car crash and his second DUI-related arrest .

What Happened: Details of the Jupiter Island Crash

The crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday near 281 Beach Road on Jupiter Island, a coastal community north of Palm Beach, not far from Woods’ residence .

According to Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek, Woods was driving a Land Rover northbound on South Beach Road when he attempted to overtake a pickup truck pulling a small trailer. The fast-moving SUV clipped the truck, causing Woods’ vehicle to flip onto its side before sliding to a stop .

The driver of the truck had slowed to make a turn and tried to move to the side of the road when he saw Woods’ vehicle approaching at speed .

“When I show you the photos, they kind of speak for themselves,” Budensiek told reporters. “You can see that [Woods] slid for a decent space before he came to a stop” .

After the crash, Woods climbed out of the passenger-side window of his overturned Land Rover. Neither Woods nor the driver of the other vehicle was injured .

The sheriff noted that the outcome “could have been a lot worse,” adding: “Had somebody been moving in the opposite direction, we would not be having a conversation saying there were no injuries” .

The Arrest: Signs of Impairment and Refused Test

Authorities responding to the scene observed that Woods showed “signs of impairment,” according to Sheriff Budensiek. Drug recognition experts who examined the golfer found him “lethargic” and believed he was impaired by “some kind of medication or drug” .

Woods passed a Breathalyzer test, registering no alcohol in his system . However, when asked to submit to a urinalysis test at the jail, he refused—his right under Florida law .

“When it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused, and so he’s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test in the crash,” Budensiek said .

No drugs or medication were found in Woods’ vehicle, and because he refused the urine test, authorities “will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash,” the sheriff added .

Woods was cooperative with police during the investigation, Budensiek said, but “he was not trying to incriminate himself. So, he was careful in what he said and didn’t say” .

Under Florida law, Woods was required to remain in jail for at least eight hours before posting bail. He was photographed departing the Martin County jail facility late Friday evening . A booking photo showed a red-eyed, stubbly-chinned Woods upon arrival at the jail about two hours after the crash .

Charges Filed

Woods has been charged with:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) — a misdemeanor

• Property damage — related to the collision

• Refusal to submit to a lawful test — for declining the urinalysis

A History of Car Crashes and Legal Trouble

Friday’s incident is the third car crash involving Woods and his second DUI-related arrest .

February 2021: The Los Angeles Crash

Woods’ most serious car accident occurred in February 2021, when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at high speed, rolling over multiple times. He suffered severe injuries to his lower right leg and ankle, including comminuted open fractures to both the upper and lower portions of his tibia and fibula .

Woods later revealed that doctors had considered amputating his leg. He required pins inserted in his foot and ankle, a rod in his tibia, and additional surgery in 2023 .

Authorities later determined Woods was traveling between 84 and 87 mph in a 45 mph zone, and that “the inability to negotiate the curve of the roadway” caused the crash . No charges were filed, and there was no evidence of alcohol or drug use .

Woods returned to competition at the 2022 Masters, where he struggled to walk all four rounds en route to a 47th-place finish .

May 2017: The First DUI Arrest

Woods was arrested on a DUI charge in Jupiter, Florida, in May 2017 after police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car, which was parked awkwardly with damage to the driver’s side .

Tests showed no alcohol in his system. Woods later explained that he had taken a bad mix of painkillers prescribed after back surgery . He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and received a fine, probation, and community service .

Recent Health Struggles and Comeback Attempts

The crash comes at a critical juncture in Woods’ career. The 50-year-old has been attempting to return to competitive golf following a series of health setbacks .

Injury Timeline

• March 2025: Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon, keeping him off the course for most of the season

• September 2025: He underwent a seventh back surgery—a “successful” lumbar disc replacement in his L4-5 lumbar spine to relieve pain and “lack of mobility”

• July 2024: His last official PGA Tour event was the British Open, where he missed the cut

TGL Appearance Days Before Crash

Just three days before the crash, Woods competed in the TGL simulator indoor golf league finals on Tuesday night, leading his Jupiter Links Golf Club team. The appearance marked his first competitive golf since his mother Kultida’s death and the Achilles rupture .

At TGL, Woods spoke candidly about his physical condition: “This body … it doesn’t recover like it did when it was 24, 25. It doesn’t mean I’m not trying. I keep trying” .

Masters Decision Pending

Woods had not yet decided whether he would play in the Masters at Augusta National, scheduled for April 9-12, 2026 . He has won the Masters five times, with his most recent victory in 2019 marking his 15th major title .

Trump Reacts: ‘Very Close Friend of Mine’

President Donald Trump, who has long been a friend and golfing partner of Woods, expressed sympathy following news of the crash.

“I feel so badly,” Trump told reporters in Miami. “There was an accident, and that’s all I know. Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, amazing man, but, uh, some difficulty” .

Personal Life: Recent Relationship with Vanessa Trump

Woods’ personal life has been in the spotlight recently following his relationship with Vanessa Trump, the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. . Reports indicate that neither Vanessa nor her daughters Kai and Chloe were in the car at the time of the crash .

Career Legacy: 82 Wins and 15 Majors

Despite the turmoil, Woods’ place in golf history remains secure. He has won:

• 82 PGA Tour victories — tied with Sam Snead for the all-time record

• 15 major championships — second only to Jack Nicklaus’ 18

• 5 Masters titles — including his historic 1997 victory and the 2019 comeback win

He also serves as chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee, helping restructure the tour’s model .

What’s Next for Tiger Woods?

As of Saturday morning, Woods’ representatives at Excel Sports had not released an official statement regarding the arrest or his status for the Masters .

Legal experts note that Woods faces DUI charges that, combined with his 2017 reckless driving plea, could result in enhanced penalties if convicted .

Meanwhile, the PGA of America faces a soft deadline at the end of March for Woods to decide whether to accept the role of U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland .

For now, Woods’ immediate future—both legal and professional—remains uncertain as he faces his latest challenge.

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