Tiger Woods has been charged with DUI after being involved in a car crash on Jupiter Island.
The crash, which occurred in Martin County in the town where he lives, happened just before 2 p.m. on March 27. Sheriff John Budensiek announced during a press conference at 5 p.m. that Woods has been charged with DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, both misdemeanors.
He said Woods, who suffered no injuries, showed “signs of impairment” and was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County Jail where he was expected to remain for at least 8 hours. Budensiek said there was no indication of alcohol involved in the accident. He said Woods blew a “triple zero” on the Breathalyzer but refused to submit to urinalysis at the jail.
“Our DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment,” Budensiek said. “Of course he did explain the injuries and surgeries that he had.”
Woods, 50, has been working hard to return to competitive golf after back surgery in October. The 15-time major champion swung a golf club competitively for the first time just three days before the crash during the TGL Finals.
How many car accidents has Tiger Woods been in
Woods’ career has been defined by injuries, surgeries and accidents, including a rollover accident in Southern California five years ago in which he nearly lost his leg.
Woods suffered severe, career-threatening injuries to his right leg and ankle, including compound, open fractures of the tibia and fibula. The injuries required a rod insertion, along with screws and pins for foot and ankle trauma, plus a fasciotomy for swelling.
Woods returned 14 months later for the Masters, finishing 47th. Since the 2021 accident, he has entered 10 official PGA Tour events, missing the cut in four and withdrawing in three others.
On May 29, 2017, Woods was arrested for driving under the influence in Jupiter. Police found him asleep at the wheel of his damaged 2015 black Mercedes-Benz on Military Trail with the engine running.
An apparent mix of prescription drugs had Woods so disoriented he had trouble standing, slurred his words and was unable to perform roadside sobriety tests. A breathalyzer test recorded 0.000 alcohol levels, but a subsequent toxicology report revealed a combination of prescription medications and other substances.
Woods released a statement apologizing for the incident, saying that an “unexpected reaction” to medications resulted in the incident.
On November 27, 2009, Woods was involved in a single-car accident, hitting a fire hydrant and a tree as he was leaving the driveway of his home near Orlando. His then-wife, Elin Nordegren, used a golf club to smash the rear window to free him.
Woods suffered facial lacerations and was unconscious for a short period. Later, he was cited for careless driving, with $3,200 in property damage.
The incident led to intense scrutiny into Woods’ personal life that turned up reports of infidelity. A week later, Woods released a statement, admitting to “transgressions” and apologizing for “letting my family down.” He and Nordegren divorced in 2010 and soon after Woods moved to Jupiter Island.
Woods had two procedures in 2025 — a disc replacement Oct. 10, which came seven months after rupturing his left Achilles tendon — and did not play in an official Tour event the entire season.
He has had seven back surgeries spanning from 2014 to 2025.
Tiger Woods wants to play in Masters
On March 24, Woods, speaking at a TGL Finals post-match press conference, repeated that he wants to play in this year’s Masters.
“As I said, I’ve been trying,” he said when asked if anything can be read into him playing one TGL match when it comes to the Masters.
“Just this body is … it doesn’t recover like it did when it was 24, 25. It doesn’t mean I’m not trying. I’ve been trying for a while. I’ve had a couple bad injuries here over the past years that I’ve had to fight through and it’s taken some time.
“But I keep trying. I want to play. I love the tournament.”
He said he planned to practice at home this week.
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tiger Woods charged with DUI after car crash on Jupiter Island
Reporting by Tom D’Angelo, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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