Tiger Woods stated Tuesday he’s stepping away to hunt therapy, 4 days after his car crashed in Florida and he was arrested on suspicion of driving underneath the affect. He’ll miss the Masters for the second straight yr. “That is vital to ensure that me to prioritize my well-being and work towards lasting restoration,” Woods stated in social media posts. Woods pleaded not responsible in his driving underneath the affect case in Florida on Tuesday, hours after a sheriff’s report stated deputies discovered two ache drugs in his pocket and he confirmed indicators of impairment after his SUV clipped a trailer and rolled over on its facet.
The web court docket docket for Martin County confirmed Woods entered a written plea of not responsible and deliberate to waive his April 23 arraignment listening to.
It is the second time Woods has taken a depart following a automobile crash. In 2009, after his SUV plowed into a fireplace hydrant and tree outdoors his house close to Orlando, he took a depart of absence to work on being a greater particular person. That lasted 4 months and he returned on the Masters.
Woods’ eyes had been bloodshot and glassy, his pupils dilated and he had opioid drugs — recognized as hydrocodone — on him when interviewed on the scene of the crash, in line with the arrest report launched by the Martin County Sheriff’s Workplace.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 31, 2026
Woods’ actions had been sluggish and torpid, he was sweating as he talked to deputies within the again seat of an air-conditioned automobile and he informed them he had taken prescription treatment earlier within the morning, in line with the report.
Woods informed deputies he had been his cellphone and twiddling with the radio moments earlier than he hit the trailer, the report stated.
Woods has not performed an official occasion for the reason that 2024 British Open. He was recovering from a seventh again surgical procedure in October and was making an attempt to return on the Masters, the place he’s a five-time champion.
“I am dedicated to take the time wanted to return in a more healthy, stronger and extra targeted place, each personally and professionally,” Woods stated in his assertion.
Woods is not going to be in Augusta, Georgia, the place he was to look with Masters chairman Fred Ridley to have a good time the opening of a refurbished municipal course that concerned Woods, or for the distinguished Masters Membership dinner for champions.
“Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership and the Masters Match totally assist Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being. Though Tiger is not going to be becoming a member of us in particular person subsequent week, his presence can be felt right here in Augusta,” Ridley stated in an announcement.
Meaning a break from extra than simply golf. He serves a key position on the PGA Tour board by main its Future Competitors Committee reshaping the schedule. A tour spokesman stated Woods didn’t participate in Tuesday’s assembly, and the work would proceed in his absence.
“Over the past yr, I’ve come to deeply respect Tiger not just for his influence on the sport, however for his friendship and the attitude he has shared with me as I joined the golf business,” stated PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, who began final summer season. “My ideas are with him and his household as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and assist.”
Woods’ protection lawyer, Douglas Duncan, did not reply to an electronic mail and cellphone name after the plea was entered Tuesday.
Woods was touring at excessive speeds on a beachside, residential street on Jupiter Island with a 30 mph (practically 50 kph) when the accident occurred. The truck had $5,000 in harm, in line with the report.
The truck driver and one other particular person helped Woods out of his car by the passenger window. Neither Woods nor the truck driver had been injured.
Throughout a area sobriety take a look at, deputies seen Woods limping and that he had a compression sock over his proper knee. Woods defined he had undergone seven again surgical procedures and over 20 surgical procedures on his proper leg, and that his ankle seizes up whereas strolling.
Woods, who was hiccupping throughout questioning, constantly moved his head throughout one of many sobriety checks and deputies needed to inform him a number of instances to maintain his head straight, the report stated.
“Based mostly on my observations of Woods, how he carried out the workout routines and primarily based on my coaching, data, and expertise, I believed that Woods regular schools had been impaired, and he was unable to soundly function the motorcar,” the deputy wrote after the checks.
Woods, 50, is probably the most influential determine in golf and has turn out to be as recognizable as any athlete on the planet. The primary particular person of Black heritage to win the Masters in 1997, he has captivated golf followers with data probably by no means to be damaged.
However his accidents have saved him from engaging in extra, together with these suffered within the 2021 automobile crash in Los Angeles that broken his proper leg so badly he stated docs thought of amputation.
At this newest crash, Woods agreed to a Breathalyzer take a look at that confirmed no indicators of alcohol, however he refused a urine take a look at, authorities stated. He was arrested and launched on bail eight hours later.
Woods, who has been concerned in 4 crashes through the years, is charged with driving underneath the affect with property harm and refusal to undergo a lawful take a look at.
Underneath a change to Florida legislation final yr, refusing a legislation enforcement officer’s request to take a breath, blood or urine take a look at grew to become a misdemeanor, even for a primary offense.
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