The athlete was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances after a serious car accident that left his vehicle overturned. According to footage from the police body camera leaked by British media, the incident occurred when Woods attempted to overtake a cleaning truck, hitting its trailer and causing his Land Rover to flip over. The golfer, who admitted to looking at his phone just before the crash, managed to escape the car by crawling out of the passenger door.
During the roadside interrogation, officers noted that Woods had red, glassy eyes and extremely dilated pupils. Additionally, the official report revealed that the athlete had two white hydrocodone pills in his pants, a prescription opioid for pain, which he acknowledged taking some prescribed medications. Despite the physical signs of intoxication and property damage, the judicial report indicates that Woods expressly refused to undergo a urine test. As a result, he was booked for driving under the influence (DUI) and for his refusal to comply with authorities.
After spending eight hours in custody in Palm Beach County, Woods was released on bail and has already submitted a written statement of innocence. However, the court has set April 17, 2026 as the deadline for him to justify his legal status. In response to the crisis, the golfer released a message acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and announcing his temporary withdrawal to seek professional treatment. "This is necessary to prioritize my well-being and work on my definitive recovery," he stated. This decision means that he will miss the Masters Tournament for the second consecutive year, reminiscent of his break after the 2009 accident when he stayed away from the golf course for four months. Finally, Woods has requested privacy for his family during this recovery process.