Florida: Golf legend Tiger Woods was arrested Friday on suspicion of driving under the influence following a rollover car crash near his Florida home, marking the latest setback for the 15-time major champion as he struggled to return to competitive play.

Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek reported that Woods, 50, was driving his Land Rover at a “high speed” on a residential road around 2 p.m. when he attempted to overtake a pressure-cleaning truck. Woods’ vehicle clipped the truck’s trailer, swerved, and rolled onto its side.

The sheriff stated that Woods was able to exit the vehicle through the passenger side and did not sustain injuries. However, investigators noted that the golfer “did exemplify signs of an impairment.” While a Breathalyser test confirmed the absence of alcohol, Budensiek said authorities believe Woods was under the influence of "some type of medication or drug."

Woods was arrested after refusing to submit to a urine test. Under Florida law, he was required to remain in jail for eight hours before being eligible for bail. Budensiek emphasised that the department would follow standard procedures, though he noted Woods was being held in a separate unit for his own safety.

“He’s not going to be with other inmates that could hurt him or try to capitalise on what he did,” the sheriff said. “He’ll pay the price, but he’s not going to pay the price by getting punished in jail.”

A Pattern of Incidents

This incident represents Woods’ second arrest for a DUI involving substances other than alcohol. In 2017, he was found asleep at the wheel with his engine running and later pleaded guilty to reckless driving, citing an adverse reaction to pain medication.

The crash is the fourth major vehicular incident for Woods. Most recently, in February 2021, he suffered devastating leg and ankle injuries after his SUV veered off a Los Angeles road at high speed—an accident so severe that doctors initially considered amputation.

President Donald Trump, a longtime friend of the golfer whose former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump, is currently dating Woods, addressed the news after landing in Miami.

“I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said. “Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person. Amazing man. But, some difficulty.”

Impact on Golfing Career

The arrest casts a shadow over Woods’ potential participation in the Masters, scheduled to begin April 9. He was also slated to appear in Augusta on April 5 for a course project unveiling and faced a looming deadline to decide on the captaincy for the 2027 U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Woods has been attempting a comeback following a seventh back surgery in September and a ruptured Achilles tendon in early 2025. Although he participated in his indoor TGL golf league on Tuesday, he has not finished a traditional 72-hole tournament within 16 shots of the leader since his 2021 accident.

In addition to his playing aspirations, Woods remains a central figure in the sport’s administration, serving as chairman of the committee tasked with restructuring the PGA Tour’s business model.

With inputs from AP