JUPITER ISLAND, FLORIDA, APRIL 2, 2026
Golf’s most iconic figure is stepping away from the sport — again. Tiger Woods, 50, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence on March 27 after his black Land Rover rolled over on a two-lane road in Jupiter Island, Florida. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday. A judge on Wednesday granted his request to leave the United States for inpatient treatment at an overseas facility. He will miss the Masters Tournament for the second consecutive year.
The news hit golf and sports media like a thunderclap. The Masters — the tournament Woods has won five times, the event that has defined his legend more than any other — begins in Augusta, Georgia on April 9. Woods had been working toward a return to competition after a seventh back surgery last October. Three days before his arrest, he played an indoor TGL exhibition match in Palm Beach Gardens. He told reporters afterward he hoped to be fit enough to compete at Augusta. That hope is now gone.
What Happened — The Arrest
The crash occurred just after 2 PM on Friday, March 27, on South Beach Road in Jupiter Island — not far from Woods’ home. A white Ford F-150 truck pulling a pressure-washing trailer was slowing to turn into a driveway. Woods, driving directly behind it, failed to slow down.
According to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, Woods later told deputies he “looked down at his cell phone and did not realize the vehicle in front of him had slowed down.” He crossed a double-solid line attempting to pass the truck, clipped the back of the trailer, lost control, and the Land Rover flipped onto its driver’s side and slid to a halt. The truck driver helped Woods out of the window of the overturned SUV.
When deputies arrived, they found Woods “sweating profusely” despite sitting in an air-conditioned vehicle, with “bloodshot and glassy eyes” and “extremely dilated pupils.” He told officers he had taken prescription medication that morning. In his pocket, deputies found two hydrocodone tablets — an opioid painkiller. Woods agreed to a breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol in his system, but he refused a urine test — a separate misdemeanor under Florida law.
He was charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, and spent eight hours in jail before being released on bond.
Tiger Woods — A Painful Timeline
| Date | Incident |
|---|---|
| May 2017 | Found asleep at wheel in Jupiter, FL — 5 drugs in system |
| February 2021 | High-speed rollover in Los Angeles — multiple leg/ankle injuries |
| March 27, 2026 | Rollover crash — hydrocodone found, DUI arrest |
| March 31, 2026 | Pleads not guilty — announces he is seeking treatment |
| April 1, 2026 | Judge grants permission to leave U.S. for overseas treatment |
| April 9-12, 2026 | Masters Tournament — Woods will not attend |
| April 23, 2026 | Scheduled arraignment hearing |
The Statement — and What It Means
Woods broke his public silence Tuesday night in a post on social media. “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.”
His attorney filed a motion explaining that the out-of-country treatment facility was medically necessary given Woods’ “complex clinical presentation” — a reference to his extraordinary injury history that includes 20 surgeries on his legs and feet from the 2021 crash alone, plus seven back surgeries. His attorney argued that ongoing public scrutiny in the United States had compromised his ability to receive effective treatment. Judge Darren Steele approved the request. Florida prosecutors did not oppose it.
Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley confirmed Woods would not be in the field for the Masters. “Although Tiger will not be joining us in person next week, his presence will be felt here in Augusta,” Ridley said in a statement.
A Career Like No Other — Under Siege Again
Tiger Woods has won 82 PGA Tour events — tied for the all-time record. He has won 15 major championships, including five Masters titles. He survived the 2021 crash — which doctors at the time suggested could end not just his career but his ability to walk normally — and somehow returned to competition. He played the 2024 British Open. He competed in the TGL just three days before this arrest.
The man has defied limits so many times that his resilience became as much a part of his legend as his talent. But this is the second DUI arrest of his life, the fourth crash, and the second consecutive missed Masters. His next court date is April 23. The treatment facility has not been named.
President Trump — a self-described “close friend” of Woods — told reporters on the day of the arrest: “I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty. He’s an amazing person, amazing man.”
Whether Woods returns to competitive golf is now one of the most uncertain questions in sports.
