Tiger Woods stated Tuesday night time that “he is stepping away for a time period to hunt remedy and deal with my well being,” asserting the choice 4 days after he was arrested on suspicion of DUI and refusal to undergo a lawful take a look at stemming from a rollover crash in Florida.
“I do know and perceive the seriousness of the state of affairs I discover myself in right now,” the 15-time main champion stated in a press release posted to his social media accounts. “I’m stepping away for a time period to hunt remedy and deal with my well being. That is crucial to ensure that me to prioritize my well-being and work towards lasting restoration.
“I am dedicated to taking the time wanted to return to a more healthy, stronger, and extra centered place, each personally and professionally. I respect your understanding and assist, and ask for privateness for my household, family members and myself right now.”
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— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 31, 2026
Woods’ assertion got here hours after he entered a plea of not responsible to costs of misdemeanor DUI with property injury and refusal to undergo a lawful take a look at, in line with courtroom paperwork.
Lawyer Douglas Duncan of West Palm Seaside, Florida, submitted Woods’ not responsible plea and demand for a trial jury in Martin County Circuit Courtroom in Stuart, Florida.
Woods additionally waived his arraignment listening to, which had been scheduled for April 23.
Duncan did not instantly reply to a request for remark from ESPN.
Resulting from a number of accidents, Woods, 50, final competed on the PGA Tour in July 2024, when he missed the reduce on the Open Championship.
And whereas he hadn’t dedicated to taking part in, he had been working to return to competitors at subsequent week’s Masters at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership, the place he is received 5 instances.
Even when Woods did not play, he was scheduled to attend a Sunday ceremony for the opening of “The Patch,” a municipal golf course in Augusta, the place he constructed a brand new quick course and helped redesign the present 18 holes. Woods additionally was anticipated to attend the annual Champions Dinner at Augusta Nationwide on April 7.
“Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership and the Masters Event absolutely assist Tiger Woods as he focuses on his well-being,” Masters chairman Fred Ridley stated in a press release. “Though Tiger is not going to be becoming a member of us in particular person subsequent week, his presence shall be felt right here in Augusta.”
Despite the fact that accidents have sidelined Woods for a lot of the previous 4 seasons, he has been closely concerned in governance of the PGA Tour, serving as chairman of the Future Competitors Committee and a participant director on PGA Tour Enterprises Board, PGA Tour Coverage Board and the Participant Advisory Council.
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“Tiger Woods is a legend of our sport whose influence extends far past his achievements on the course,” the PGA Tour stated in a press release. “However above all else, Tiger is an individual, and our focus is on his well being and effectively being. Tiger continues to have our full assist as he takes this necessary step.”
Added PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp: “Tiger Woods is likely one of the most influential figures the sports activities world has ever identified. 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. My ideas are with him and his household as he takes this step, for which he has my full respect and assist.”
Earlier Tuesday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Division launched an arrest affidavit that included particulars of Woods’ arrest following the rollover crash Friday close to his dwelling on Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods advised authorities that he was trying down at his cellphone and altering the radio station in his SUV, which brought about him to not see a truck slowing down, in line with the affidavit.
Martin County Sheriff Deputy Tatiana Levenar wrote in an arrest affidavit that Woods was “sweating profusely” and his motion was “torpid and gradual” whereas she interviewed him.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek stated Friday that Woods’ breathalyzer take a look at did not present indicators of alcohol. Woods refused to undergo a urinalysis or blood take a look at for different medication, in line with the sheriff.
Woods’ Vary Rover SUV rolled over after it clipped a trailer being hauled by a truck. The truck had slowed down to show right into a driveway. Woods’ SUV swerved and flipped on its facet and slid down the highway. Woods climbed out of the passenger’s window to get out.
After Woods agreed to carry out discipline sobriety workouts, Levenar noticed him “limping and stumbling to the precise.”
Woods advised the deputy that he had had seven again surgical procedures and greater than 20 operations on his proper leg, which he had severely injured in a automotive wreck outdoors Los Angeles in February 2021.
“I requested Woods if he was capable of carry out duties corresponding to strolling and lifting his leg, Woods suggested he has a limp and his ankle seizes whereas strolling,” Levenar wrote within the affidavit.
Due to his medical situation, Levenar advised Woods to take a seat on the bumper of a police cruiser for the remainder of the investigation.
As soon as Woods eliminated his sun shades, Levenar famous that his eyes have been “bloodshot and glassy” and his pupils have been “extraordinarily dilated.”
The deputy requested Woods if he had consumed any alcohol, and he replied: “None.”
When Levenar requested if Woods had taken any prescription remedy, he said: “I take just a few.” Woods stated he had taken prescription drugs earlier within the morning, in line with the report.
The names of the medicines have been redacted within the affidavit.
One other Martin County sheriff’s deputy discovered two hydrocodone drugs in Woods’ left pants pocket, in line with the arrest affidavit. Hydrocodone was the drug present in Woods’ system when he was arrested on DUI costs in Might 2017.
Levenar instructed Woods to do a sequence of 4 discipline sobriety checks whereas sitting on the bumper of a police cruiser.
“Based mostly on my observations of Woods, how he carried out the workouts and primarily based on my coaching, data, and expertise, I believed that [Woods’] regular services have been impaired, and he was unable to securely function the motorcar,” Levenar wrote.
After Woods was arrested, he was transported to the Cleveland Clinic ER South, however he refused medical remedy. He was transported again to the Martin County Jail, the place he was held till he was launched on $1,000 bond later Friday night time.
Duncan represented Woods in a 2017 case wherein the golfer was arrested on suspicion of DUI after law enforcement officials discovered him asleep on the wheel in his operating automotive, which had two flat tires and injury on the entrance and rear bumpers. Woods stated he had taken a foul mixture of painkillers.
Woods later pleaded responsible to reckless driving and agreed to enter a diversion program as a part of the plea deal. Woods checked right into a remedy facility that yr to get assist with prescribed drugs.
In February 2021, Woods suffered important leg accidents in a one-car crash outdoors of Los Angeles wherein his SUV rolled a number of instances and left him trapped inside. He later had surgical procedure to take care of “open fractures” to his decrease proper leg, had a rod positioned in a tibia and had screws and pins inserted in his foot and ankle throughout emergency surgical procedure. Woods was hospitalized for 3 weeks following the surgical procedure.
Woods’ car had been touring between 84 and 87 mph in an space with a forty five mph velocity restrict, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva stated on the time.
