Tiger Woods was taken into custody and charged with DUI on March 27, 2026, following a car rollover accident on Jupiter Island, Florida, which resulted in his Land Rover flipping over on a two-lane road.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press conference that Woods faced charges for driving under the influence, property damage, and refusal to undergo a lawful test after declining a urinalysis. The incident occurred shortly after 2 p.m. local time, and no injuries were reported.
The golf icon was released from police custody almost eight hours after being booked, as stipulated by Florida law.
Read on for further details about the incident:
How the Crash Unfolded
In a March 2026 press conference, Sheriff John Budensiek explained what authorities believe led to the accident. Responding to a rollover crash call just before 2 p.m., authorities discovered a pickup truck towing a pressure cleaner trailer and a Land Rover that had flipped onto its driver’s side.
“The driver of [the pickup truck] saw a dark-colored Land Rover approaching at high speeds in his mirror,” stated Budensiek, without specifying the vehicle’s exact speed. “He attempted to move to the road’s edge, but this road is narrow with no shoulder for the pressure cleaner operator to pull off. As he was trying to move aside, the Land Rover passed him at the last moment, swerved to prevent a collision, but clipped the trailer’s rear.”
Images from WPTV at the scene depicted the Land Rover on its side, with other photos showing it overturned and resting vertically on the roadside with visible structural damage.
Tiger Woods was driving the Land Rover, and according to Budensiek, he managed to exit through the passenger-side window without injury.
The DUI Charges
After suspecting Tiger Woods might be impaired, authorities called DUI investigators to evaluate the golfer.
“Our DUI investigators arrived at the scene. Mr. Woods showed signs of impairment,” Sheriff John Budensiek stated during the March 2026 press conference. “They conducted several tests. He explained the injuries and surgeries he had undergone, which we considered.”
The sheriff added, “Mr. Woods completed a breathalyzer test with triple zeros, but when requested for a urinalysis test, he refused, leading to charges of DUI, property damage, and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”
The breathalyzer results indicated Woods was not under the influence of alcohol during the incident.
“We understand we arrested a high-profile individual … but regardless of who you are, if you violate the law, we will enforce it. It’s straightforward,” Budensiek remarked regarding Woods’ arrest.
Mugshot, Jail Time and Release
A mugshot of Tiger Woods was made public the day of his March 2026 arrest, showing the golfer wearing a blue shirt and looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.
Sheriff John Budensiek discussed Woods’ treatment in custody during the press conference.
“While he is in jail, we ensure his safety. He will not be placed in general population,” the police officer stated. “He will not be with other inmates who might harm or exploit him. He will face consequences, but not through additional punishment in jail.”
Woods spent approximately eight hours at Martin County Jail, as required by Florida statute, and was released around 11 p.m. ET that evening. Later, he was seen looking disheveled in the passenger seat of a black SUV, still wearing the blue polo shirt from his mugshot. Woods has not publicly commented on his arrest or the car accident.
A History of Car Accidents
Tiger Woods previously endured significant leg injuries in a single-car crash in Southern California in February 2021, leading to a shattered ankle and two leg fractures. At that time, investigators found no evidence that Woods was impaired by alcohol or drugs while driving. Instead, he was driving at an “unsafe speed for road conditions,” according to a police report.
“I have a better understanding of the rehab process due to my previous injuries, but this was more painful than anything I have ever experienced,” he told Golf Digest in May 2021 during his recovery. “My physical therapy keeps me busy. I follow my routines daily and focus on my primary goal: walking independently, taking one step at a time.”
Woods was also arrested under suspicion of DUI in 2017 during a traffic stop in Florida. He was found asleep at the wheel with Vicodin, Xanax, and other drugs in his system. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving and entered a diversion program for first-time DUI offenders.
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President Donald Trump Responds to Tiger Woods’ Arrest
President Donald Trump addressed the situation within hours, expressing sympathy for Tiger Woods, whom he described as a “very close friend.”
“I feel so bad. He’s facing some challenges,” Trump told reporters in March 2026. “There was an accident, and that’s all I know. He’s a very close friend, an amazing person, an amazing man. But some challenges. I don’t want to discuss it further.”
Rumors later circulated that Trump considered granting Woods a pardon to allow him to compete in the upcoming Masters tournament, following a viral post on social media. It was soon revealed that this statement was fake.
Trump and Woods have played golf together in the past, and the U.S. president awarded Woods the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 during his first term in office.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
